LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 

PRINCETON,  N.  J. 


Purchased  by  the 
Mrs.  Robert  Lenox  Kennedy  Church  History  Fund. 


BX  8693   .S32  1883 
Scraps  of  biography 


SCRAPS 

OK 

BIOGRAPHY. 

TENTH  BOOK  OF  THE 

FAITH-PROMOTING  SERIES. 


Designed    for  the    Instruction    and    Encouragement  of 
Young    Latter-day  Saints. 


^5*1  OF  PHltic^ 
JUM  l  1  1929 

Logical  m& 


JUVENILE  INSTRUCTOR  OFFICE 

Salt  Lake  City. 


Copyright  applied  for  at  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  by  A.  H.  Cannon. 


PREFACE. 


n^HERE  is  a  gradually  increasing  interest  among  the  young 
of  this  people  for  reading  and  study.  It  is  now  the  ambi- 
tion of  nearly  every  son  and  daughter  of  the  Saints  to  become 
well  educated.  Parents,  also,  are  more  deeply  interested 
in  the  intellectual  growth  of  the  youth.  Thus  we  are  gradually 
ascending  to  a  higher  plane,  and  our  influence  is  being  felt  in  a 
more  extended  sphere. 

The  desire,  however,  to  place  matter  in  the  hands  of  the 
young  for  reading  and  study,  should  not  cause  parents  to  be 
less  careful  in  the  selection  of  books.  Truth  expands  the  mind 
and  quickens  the  understanding,  while  fiction  dulls  the  percep- 
tions and  impairs  the  memory.  The  acquisition  of  the  one  is 
a  source  of  joy  to  the  possessor,  while  the  constant  perusal  of 
the  other  unfits  a  person  for  the  study  of  that  which  endures. 

That  truth  is  the  foundation  of  all  righteousness,  and  that 
righteousness  is  what  we  desire,  no  person  among  this  people 
will  deny.  Hence  our  anxiety  to  teach  the  child  from  its 
earliest  infancy  the  principles  of  the  gospel.  In  order  to  assist 
in  this  great  work  of  teaching  the  gospel  principles,  we  have 
been  led  to  publish  the  Series  of  which  this  book  forms  a  part. 
Whether  or  not  our  endeavors  have  met  with  any  success,  we 
leave  for  others  to  say,  but  we  can  safely  state  that  all  who 
have  read  these  little  works  cannot  but  realize  the  fact  that 
'  'Truth  is  stranger  than  fiction. ' ' 

That  these  "Scraps  of  Biography"  may  help  to  instil  the 
great  principle  of  faith  in  the  minds  of  the  rising  generation  is 
the  earnest  desire  of 

The  Publisher. 


CONTENTS. 


SKETCH  OP  AN  ELDER'S  LIFE. 
CHAPTER  I. 

Birth  and  Parentage  of  Elder  John  Tanner— Himself  and  Two 
Children  are  Bitten  by  a  Mad  Dog— They  are  Healed— He 
Becomes  Wealthy— Afflicted  With  Unknown  Disease- 
Physicians  Fail  to  Cure  Him— "Mormon"  Elders  Visit 
Him — He  is  Converted — Is  Miraculously  Healed — Goes  to 
Kirtland— Freely  (lives  Money  for  the  Benefit  of  the 
Church— His  Elder's  Certificate. 

CHAPTER  II. 
Receives  Blessings  in  Temple — Assists  With  "Kirtland  Bank" 
— Starts  for  Missouri — His  Daughter  Dies — Is  Attacked 
by  Mob — Nearly  Murdered— Retained  as  a  Prisoner — 
Released— Removes  to  Iowa — Receives  the  Prophet's 
Blessing — Goes  to  the  Rocky  Mountains — Loses  His  Pro- 
perty by  Fire — Thrilling  Indian  Adventure — At  Death's 
Door — Remarkable  Escape — His  Death. 

INCIDENTS  OP  EXPERIENCE. 
CHAPTER  I. 
Account  of  My  Ancestors — My  Birth — Remarkable  Vision — 
Its  Effect  Upon  Those  Who  Heard  of  It— My  Father  and 
Grand-Father  Become  Interested  in  Reading  the  Scrip- 
tures— My  Grand-Father's  Prophecy — His  Dislocated 
Shoulder  Replaced  by  the  Power  of  God — My  Grand- 
Father's  Vision  and  Death— "Mormon"  Elders  Visit  the 
Neighborhood — I  Go  to  Hear  Them  Preach — Believe 
Their  Doctrines— My  Father  Opposed  to  the  Elders. 


vi. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  II. 

My  Covenant  With  the  Lord — My  Sister  Desires  Baptism — My 
Brother's  Threat — Visit  of  Hyrum  Smith — My  Sister 
Baptized — I  Break  My  Covenant — My  Father's  Dream — 
My  Baptism — Exhortation  to  the  Young — Spiritual  Gifts 
Received — Meeting  Disturbed  by  Mobs — After  Talking  to 
Them  They  Become  Quiet  and  Leave  the  Place — Some  of 
the  Mob  Join  the  Church — The  Leader  of  the  Mob  Dies 
Suddenly — Mobbings  Cease.. 

CHAPTER  III. 

Ordained  to  the  Priesthood — Invited  to  Preach— I  Make  Up  a 
Sermon  on  my  Way — Sermon  Apparenily  a  Failure  to  Me 
— My  Hearers  Satisfied  With  it — Abused  by  a  Baptist 
Minister — He  Desires  a  Sign — A  Sign  Promised  and  Ful- 
filled— Blessings  Received  in  the  Kirtland  Temple — Words 
of  the  Prophet  Joseph — Their  Fulfilment — An  Incident 
in  Missouri — Literal  Fulfillment  of  a  Prediction  Uttered 
by  Joseph  Smith — His  Patriotism — Strange  Phenomenon 
—Its  Effect. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

A  Case  of  Palsy  Healed — Its  Effect  on  the  People — Mr. 
Bridge's  Unbelief— The  Case  of  Widow  Cade— She  is  Par- 
tially Cured  by  Faith — Tempts  the  Lord  and  Dies — I  am 
Called  on  a  Mission  to  Europe — Terrible  Sea-storm — The 
Prayers  of  the  Elders  are  Heard  and  the  Winds  Cease— 
We  Arrive  Safely  in  a  Badly-Shattered  Ship. 
CHAPTER  V. 

I  Go  to  Switzerland— God's  Power  Manifested  in  My  Behalf— 
A  Prophecy  Fulfilled— Condition  of  the  Swiss  Mission — 
Where  Elders  were  Expelled  Evil  Spirits  Take  Possession 
— Karl  G.  Maeser  Writes  Me  a  Letter— I  Return  it, 
Thinking  it  a  Ruse  to  Entrap  Me— I  Receive  it  Again — 
Brother  Maeser's  Faith  and  Baptism — Elders  Partake  of 
Poisoned  Food — Are  Restored  to  Health — My  Mission 
Ends. 

NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 
CHAPTER  I. 
My  Birth  and  Parentage — My  Father's  Business— He  Employs 
Joseph  Smith,  Jun. — Character  ol  this  Youth — I  Start  in 


CONTENTS. 


vii. 


Business  for  Myself— My  Health  Compels  Me  to  Change 
Occupation— Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  a  Constant  Visitor  at 
My  House— He  Relates  His  Experience— His  Statements 
Leave  no  Room  for  Doubt  in  Me— He  is  Bitterly  Perse- 
cuted. 

CHAPTER  II. 

Joseph  Smith's  Perseverance— Organization  of  the  Church — 
Joseph  Smith  Visits  Me — His  Own  Account  of  His  Visit 
—He  Asks  Me  to  Pray— I  Refuse— I  Go  to  the  Woods  and 
Try  to  Offer  up  Prayer— Am  Attacked  by  a  Devil— Curious 
Actions  while  thus  Afflicted — The  Prophet  Casts  the  Devil 
Out— The  Spirit  of  God  Shows  Me  Glorious  Things— This 
Miracle  Witnessed  by  Many  Persons. 

CHAPTER  III. 

I  am  Baptized — First  Conference  of  the  Church — Remarkable 
Arisions — The  Prophet  Visits  the  Colesville  Branch — Holds 
Meeting — Persecution  Begins — A  Presbyterian  Preacher 
Tries  to  Mislead  My  Sis;er-in-law,  but  Fails— Baptisms — 
Mob  Gathers— Joseph  Arrested  by  a  Constable — -Wicked 
Men  Lie  in  Ambush  for  Him — He  is  Delivered  from  the 
Mob  by  the  Constable — His  UDjust  Trial — He  is  Acquit- 
ted. 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Joseph's  Second  Arrest — Cruelty  of  His  Guard — His  Trial — I, 
with  Others,  am  Called  as  a  Witness — Chagrin  of  Prose- 
cuting Attorney — Eloquence  of  Joseph's  Lawyers — The 
Constable  Begs  Joseph's  Forgiveness  for  His  Cruel  Con- 
duct— He  Delivers  the  Prophet  from  the  Hands  of  the 
Mob— The  Acquital— At  My  House  Our  Leaders  are 
Again  Persecuted — Their  Escape— Names  of  Our  Leading 
Opponents. 

CHAPTER  V. 
I  Visit  Joseph  at  Harmony — Revelation  Concerning  the  Sacra- 
ment— Persecutions  at  Harmony— The  Brethren  Visit  Me 
— God  Blinds  the  Eyes  of  Their  Enemies — The  Prophet 
Moves  to  Fayette— False  Revelation — Bogus  Stone — False 
Doctrine  Overcome — Hyruin  Smith  Visits  Me — I  Labor  in 
the  Ministry  with  Him — My  Aunt's  Affliction— Remark- 
able Manifestation  of  God's  Power. 


viii. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Sidney  Rigdon's  Conversation — Third  Conference  of  the 
Church — The  Saints  Commence  to  Gather — An  Accident 
— My  Aunt's  Dream — Its  Fulfillment — Missouri  Chosen 
for  a  Gathering  Place — My  Mother's  Wish — Reflections 
on  the  Past  and  Present — Temple  Site  Located — Labors 
Commence — The  First  Death. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

My  Appointment — A  Visit  from  Joseph — According  to 
Joseph's  Promise,  My  Wife  Bears  Me  a  Son — New  Reve- 
lations— My  Aunt  Overcome  by  the  Evil  One — She  Mis- 
leads Many — Her  Anguish  and  Restoration. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Mr.  Pixley's  Bitterness — Our  Enemies  Make  Plans  for  Our 
Overthrow — Their  Resolutions — Our  Printing  Office 
Destroyed — Brethren  Tarred  and  Feathered — Our  Appeal 
to  the  Governor — His  Advice— Saints  Driven — Unexpected 
Engagement — Several  Killed  and  Wounded. 
CHAPTER  IX. 

McCarty's  Case— Justice  Denied  Us— The  Sufferings  of  the 
Saints — The  Brethren  Disarmed— Joseph's  Opinion  of 
Governor  Boggs— Correspondence   Between  the  State 
Officials  and  Our  People— Our  Petition  to  the  Governor. 
CHAPTER  X. 

Court  in  Jackson  County— Officers  Awed  by  a  Mob— Zion's 
Camp— Mob  Meeting— "A  Man  Stabbed  '— Campbell's 
Horrible  Fate— God  Interposes  in  Behalf  of  Zion's  Camp 
—The  Cholera— I  Go  to  Kirtland— My  Labors  There 
—Return  to  Clay  County. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Saints  Move  to  Caldwell  County— Persecutions  Begin  Anew— 
Captain  Bogart  and  His  Mob— The  Battle— Hawn's  Mill 
Massacre— Colonel  Hinkles  Treachery— The  Brethren 
Imprisoned. 

CHAJTHl!  XII. 
I  Move  to  Commerce— No  Safety  for  the  Saints— John  C. 
Bennett's  Wickedness— Threats  of  the  Mob— We  Start 
for  the  West— Death  of  the  Author. 


SKETCH  OF  AN  ELDER'S  LIFE. 


CHAPTER  I. 


BIRTH  AND  PARENTAGE  OF  ELDER  JOHN  TANNER — HIMSELF 
AND  TWO  CHILDREN  ARE  BITTEN  BY  A  MAD  DOG — 
THEY  ARE  HEALED — HE  BECOMES  WEALTHY— AFFLICTED 
WITH  UNKNOWN  DISEASE — PHYSICIANS  FAIL  TO  CURE 
HIM — "MORMON"  ELDERS  VISIT  HIM — HE  IS  CONVERTED 
— IS  MIRACULOUSLY  HEALED— GOES  TO  KIRTLAND— 
RFEELY  GIVES  MONEY  FOR  THE  BENEFIT  OF  THE  CHURCH 
— HIS  ELDER'S  CERTIFICATE. 

ELDER  JOHN  TANNER,  son  of  Joshua  and  Thankful 
Tanner,  and  grandfather  of  Apostle  F.  M.  Lyman,  was 
born  August  15th,  1778,  in  the  state  of  Rhode  Island.  At 
the  age  of  thirteen  years  his  parents  moved  to  Greenwich, 
Washington  county,  New  York,  where,  at  the  death  of  his 
father,  who  was  a  farmer,  he  took  charge  of  the  business  and 
settled  his  father's  estate.  Early  in  the  year  of  1800,  he 
married  Tabitha  Bently,  by  whom  he  had  a  son,  Elisha,  born 
March  23rd,  1801.  The  mother  died  on  the  9th  of  the  follow- 
ing month.  He  afterwards  married  Lydia  Stewart,  by  whom 
lie  had  nine  children,  eight  sons  and  one  daughter. 

One' evening  in  1808,  when  he  returned  home  from  his  work, 
he  found  that  two  of  his  children  had  been  bitten  by  his  dog, 
which  had  gone  mad,  and  in  attempting  to  confine  the  dog,  he 
also  was  bitten  on  the  calf  of  the  leg.  Realizing  immediately 
that  he  had  no  time  to  lose,  he  grasped  a  pair  of  sheep-shears, 
and  cut  out  the  affected  parts  and  filled  the  wound  with  salt. 
He  thus  succeeded  in  saving  his  own  life  ;  and,  with  the  aid  of 
l 


10  SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 

•  • 

a  prescription  he  obtained,  was  also  successful  in  curing  his 
children. 

In  the  Spring  of  1818,  he  moved  with  his  large  family  to 
North  West  Bay.  where  a  son  and  daughter  were  born.  In 
1823  he  moved  into  the  town  of  Bolton,  and  here,  in  1825,  he 
had  another  son  born,  but  in  May  of  that  year  his  wife.  Lydia, 
died.  He  then  married  a  third  wife,  Eliza  Benwick,  by  whom 
he  had  four  sons. 

At  this  time,  notwithstanding  all  the  care,  labor  and  expendi- 
ture of  raising  his  numerous  family,  he  had  acquired  wealth, 
and  had  become  a  man  of  much  influence,  was  extensively 
known  and  universally  respected.  His  name  was  synonymous 
with  benevolence,  honesty  and  integrity. 

In  the  mysterious  dispensations  of  Providence,  a  terrible 
calamity  was  appointed  him  in  the  form  of  a  painful  disease, 
which,  according  to  the  most  consummate  human  skill,  was 
incurable,  and  entirely  unknown  to  the  medical  faculty.  His 
left  leg  from  the  thigh  down  was  covered  with  black  sores, 
through .  which  the  muscles  of  the  limb,  having  formed  into 
hollow  tubes,  or  pipes,  projected  outward  to  the  surface,  out 
of  which,  matter  was  constantly  oozing. 

He  had  employed  seven  of  the  most  eminent  physicians  in 
the  country,  but  all  their  efforts  were  unavailing;  the  last  one. 
Dr.  Black,  frankly  told  him  that  he  could  run  up  a  heavy  bill 
for  medical  attendance;  "but,"  said  he,  "you  are  beyond  the 
reach  of  medicine,  and  I  can  do  you  no  good!" 

For  six  months  Mr.  Tanner  had  neither  let  his  diseased  limb 
hang  down  nor  his  foot  touch  the  floor,  but  was  obliged  to  keep 
the  leg  in  a  right  angle  with  his  body,  resting  it  on 
pillows  placed  on  some  object  directly  in  front  of  him.  And 
yet,  with  all  his  bodily  suffering,  his  mind  was  active  and  his 
noble,  generous  heart,  ever  sympathizing  with  his  fellow-man, 
beat  with  untiring  zeal  for  the  welfare  of  humanity.  Feel- 
ing assured  that  he  must  soon  die,  he  sought  opportunities  for 
doing  good. 

He  had  a  vehicle  so  constructed  that  he  could  move  himself 
from  place  to  place  without  assistance.  In  the  fore  part  of 
September,  1832,  a  notice  was  circulated  in  the  place  where  he 
lived,  that  two  Latter-day  Saint  Elders  would  preach  on  a  cer- 


SKETCH  OF  AN  ELDER'S  LIFE. 


11 


tain  evening,  at  a  place  specified,  not  far  from  Mr.  Tanner  s 
residence.  He  hailed  the  announcement  with  delight.  It 
afforded  him  an  opportunity  (he  thought)  of  doing  an  immense 
amount  of  good.  He  was  conversant  with  the  Lible  and  felt 
himself  amply  qualified  to  battle  with  heresy,  especially  that 
of  the  Latter-day  Saints,  and  by  doing  so,  he  could  confer  last- 
ing benefit  on  his  fellow-creatures.  That  was  his  aim  and  such 
his  anticipations  when  the  appointed  evening  arrived.  He 
seated  himself  in  his  locomotive  and  wended  his  way  to  the 
meeting,  feeling  confident  that  he  could  silence  the  so-called 
Mormons,"  whom  he  sincerely  supposed  were  imposters;  but 
long  before  the  two  Elders,  who  were  Simeon  and  Jared  Carter, 
finished  their  discourses,  a  wonderful  change  had  come  over 
the  mind  of  Mr.  Tanner,  and  when  they  closed  the  evening 
services,  he  invited  them  to  his  home. 

That  evening  a  new  era  dawned  upon  his  existence.  After 
spending  the  evening  in  earnest  conversation,  when  the  clock 
struck  the  hour  of  eleven,  he  told  the  missionaries  he  was 
ready  to  be  baptized,  but  that  it  would  not  be  possible  for  him 
to  receive  the  ordinance.  They  asked  him,  "Why  not?"  He 
said  on  account  of  his  lameness,  as  he  had  not  put  his  foot  to 
the  floor  for  the  last  six  months,  and  could  not  possibly  do  it. 
One  of  the  Elders  asked  him  if  he  did  not  think  there  was 
power  enough  in  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  anciently  to  heal 
all  manner  of  diseases,  to  which  he  replied  in  the  affirmative. 
He  was  then  asked  if  he  did  not  think  that  the  same  cause 
produced  the  same  effect  in  all  ages,  and  if  there  was  not  suf- 
ficient power  in  the  gospel  to  heal  him. .  Mr.  Tanner  replied 
that  such  a  thought  had  not  occurred  to  him,  but  he  believed 
that  the  Lord  could  heal  him.  Elder  Jared  Carter  then  arose 
and  commanded  him  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  to  arise  and 
walk,  when,  to  use  his  own  expression,  "I  arose,  threw  down 
my  crutches,  and  walked  the  floor  back  and  forth — back  and 
forth,  praising  God,  and  I  felt  as  light  as  a  feather." 

That  same  night  he  walked  threes-quarters  of  a  mile  to  Lake 
George,  and  was  baptized  by  Simeon  Carter,  and  walked  back, 
giving  thanks  to  God,  for  his  complete  restoration  to  health. 

As  soon  as  the  "Word  of  Wisdom"  was  made  known  to 
him,  he  quit  the  use  of  tobacco,  tea,  coffee  and  also  the  use  of 


12 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAfHV. 


liquor,  and  never  used  them  again  during  the  remainder  of  his 
life. 

In  the  Spring  of  18:>4  he  fitted  out  his  two  sons,  John  J. 
and  Nathan  and  sent  them  up  to  Kirtland,  where  they  joined 
Zion's  Camp  and  went  up  to  Missouri,  with  team,  wagon  and  a 
first  class  outfit.  A  little  later  in  the  season  he  fitted  out 
seven  families,  and  sent  them  to  Kirtland  or  to  Missouri. 

In  the  Fall  of  the  same  year  he  sold  two  large  farms  and  two 
thousand  and  two  hundred  acres  of  timber  land,  preparatory  to 
moving  to  Missouri  in  the  coming  Spring.  About  the  middle 
of  December  he  received  an  impression  by  dream  or  vision  of 
the  night,  that  he  was  needed  and  must  go  immediately  to  the 
Church  in  the  West.  He  told  his  family  of  the  instruction  he 
had  received  and  forthwith  made  preparations  for  the  start, 
while  his  neighbors,  with  deep  regret  at  what  they  considered 
an  insane  purpose,  tried  their  utmost  to  dissuade  him ;  but  he 
knew  the  will  of  Cod  in  the  present  crisis  and  nothing  could 
deter  him  from  doing  it. 

On  Christmas  day  he  commenced  his  journey  with  all  his 
earthly  effects,  and  in  the  dead  of  Winter  traveled  the  distance 
of  five  hundred  miles,  to  Kirtland  where  he  arrived  about  the 
20th  of  January,  1835,  on  the  Sabbath. 

On  his  arrival  in  Kirtland.  he  learned  that  at  the  time  he 
received  the  impression  that  he  must  move  immediately  to  the 
Church,  the  Prophet  Joseph  and  some  of  the  brethren  had 
met  in  prayer-meeting  and  asked  the  Lord  to  send  them  a 
brother  or  some  brethren  with  means  to  assist  them  to  lift  the 
mortgage  on  the  farm  upon  which  the  temple  was  being  built. 

The  day  after  his  arrival  in  K  irtland,  by  invitation  from  the 
prophet,  he  and  his  son,  Sidney,  met  with  the  High  Council, 
and  were  informed  that  the  mortgage  of  the  before  mentioned 
farm  was  about  to  be  foreclosed.  Whereupon  he  loaned  the 
prophet  two  thousand  dollars  and  took  his  note  on  interest, 
with  which  amount  the  farm  was  redeemed.  He  loaned  to  the 
Temple  Committee,  Hyrum  Smith,  Reynolds  Cahoon  and 
Jared  Carter,  thirteen  thousand  dollars  in  merchandize  at  cost 
prices  in  New  York,  and  took  their  note  for  the  same.  This 
amount,  and  that  loaned  to  the  prophet,  were  not  included  in 
his  liberal  donations  to  the  building  of  the  temple,  from  time 


SKETCH  OF  AN  ELDER' S  LIFE. 


to  time.  He  also  signed  a  note  with  the  Prophet  Joseph  and 
others  tor  thirty  thousand  dollars  for  goods  purchased  in  New 
York,  in  which  he  had  no  pecuniary  interest.  The  foregoing 
is  substantial  proof  of  his  confidence  in  the  prophet  and  in  the 
validity  and  importance  of  the  work  he  had  embraced. 

Here  follows  a  copy  of  his  Elder's  certificate  : 

"To  Whom  it  May  Concern. — This  certifies  that  John 
Tanner  has  been  received  into  this  Church  of  the  Latter-day 
Saints,  organized  on  the  sixth  day  of  April,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty,  and  has  been 
ordained  an  Elder,  according  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of 
said  Church,  and  is  duly  authorized  to  preach  the  gospel  agree- 
ably to  the  authority  of  that  office. 

"From  the  satisfactory  evidence  which  we  have  of  his  good 
moral  character,  and  his  zeal  lor  the  cause  of  righteousness, 
-  and  diligent  desire  to  persuade  men  to  forsake  evil  and 
embrace  truth,  we  confidently  recommend  him  to  all  candid 
and  upright  people,  as  a  worthy  member  of  society. 

"We  therefore,  in  the  name,  and  by  the  authority  of  this 
Church,  grant  unto  this  our  worthy  brother  in  the  Lord,  this 
letter  of  commendation  as  a  proof  of  our  fellowship  and 
esteem;  praying  for  his  success  and  prosperity  in  our  Redeem- 
er's cause. 

"Given  by  the  direction  of  a  conference  ofthe  Elders  of  said 
Church,  assembled  in  Kirtland,  Geauga  county,  Ohio,  the 
third  day  of  March,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  thirty-six. 

"F.  G.  Williams,  "Joseph  Smith,  Jr., 

Clerk.  Chairman." 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


CHAPTER  II. 


RECEIVES  BLESSINGS  IN  TEMPLE — ASSISTS  WITH  "KIRTLAND 
BANK" — STARTS  FOR  MISSOURI — HIS  DAUGHTER  DIES — 
IS  ATTACKED  BY  MOB — NEARLY  MURDERED — RETAINED 
AS  A  PRISONER — RELEASED— REMOVES  TO  IOWA — 
RECEIVES  THE  PROPHET'S  BLESSING — GOES  TO  THE 
ROCKY  MOUNTAINS— LOSES  HIS  PROPERTY  BY  FIRE — 
THRILLING  INDIAN  ADVENTURE — AT  DEATH'S  DOOR — 
REMARKABLE  ESCAPE— HIS  DEATH. 

\\ /"HEN  the  temple  was  finished  he  participated  in  itsdedi- 


cation.  He  also  took  part  in  the  "solemn  assembly"  and 
the  glorious  gifts  and  manifestations  ot  that  memorable  occasion. 
He  received  his  washings  and  anointings  in  that,  the  first 
temple  of  God  built  by  His  direction  in  this  dispensation. 

With  his  characteristic  energy,  he  put  forth  his  best  efforts 
to  assist  the  prophet  in  sustaining  the  "Kirtland  Bank,"  and 
for  that  object  he  purchased  much  of  its  paper;  but  there 
was  a  Judas  under  the  counter,  and  the  bank  went  down  in 
spite  of  all  their  efforts.  Those  who  had  struggled  hardest 
and  invested  most  were  the  greatest  losers,  and  Elder  Tanner 
was  one  of  the  foremost,  and  was  completely  crippled  financi- 
ally. Just  at  that  time  an  outside  pressure  in  the  form  of 
religious  persecution  had  become  so  unendurable  that  the 
Saints  had  to  leave  Kirtland  and  seek  homes  in  the  West ;  and 
Elder  Tanner,  with  a  journey  of  one  thousand  miles  before 
him,  found  himself  not  only  destitute  of  means  but  also  in 
debt.  Yet  his  courage  and  ability  were  equal  to  the  emerg- 
ency. Through  the  blessing  of  God  he  had  acquired  one 
large  fortune  and  he  knew  that  God  lived,  and  that  he  was 
His  servant. 

But  he  had  a  large  family  depending  on  him,  and  a  long 
journey  was  before  him.      The  necessity  of  the  occasion 


SKETCH   OP    AN    ELDER'S  LIFE. 


15 


prompted,  and  faith  in  God  inspired,  him.  In  April,  1838,  he 
fitted  up  with  a  turnpike-cart,  a  borrowed  wagon,  one  horse 
of  his  own  and  three  borrowed  ones,  twenty  dollars  in  cash 
and  a  keg  of  powder  to  pay  expenses,  and  started  for  Mis- 
souri with  his  family — eleven  persons  in  all.  When  the  money 
and  powder  were  spent,  they  were  under  the  necessity  of 
appealing  to  the  benevolence  of  the  inhabitants  on  the  road 
for  buttermilk  and  sometimes  for  other  food  to  sustain  life. 

He  had  two  children,  a  son  and  a  daughter,  born  inKirtland. 
One  of  these,  a  lovely  girl,  died  on  this  tedious  journey,  which 
was  to  Elder  Tanner  the  greatest  trial  of  that  time. 

On  his  arrival  in  Missouri,  in  conversation  with  a  friend  ot 
his,  after  narrating  the  hardships,  privations  and  many  of  the 
most  trying  circumstances  of  the  journey,  he  said,  "Well,  if 
others  have  come  up  easier,  they  have  not  learned  so  much." 
This  expression  is  characteristic  of  Elder  Tanner's  verv  happy 
faculty  of  drawing  sunshine  from  the  darkest  cloud  and  honey 
from  the  most  bitter  herb.  He. acknowledged  the  hand  of 
God  in  all  things,  knowing  that  He  overrules  all  things  for 
good  to  those  who  keep  His  commandments. 

He  arrived  in  Far  West  on  the  3rd  of  July,  and  there  he 
and  iiis  sons  went  to  work.  He  paid  up  his  debts,  and  had  suf- 
ficient means  on  -hand  to  meet  the  demands  and  exigences  of 
life. 

In  the  Autumn  of  183S,  he  aud  his  son  Myron  went  to  a 
mill  about  nine  miles  from  the  town,  and  when  starting  for 
home,  the  state  militia  in  the  form  of  a  mob  came  upon  them. 
He  told  Myron  to  run  and  take  care  of  himself,  which  he  did 
by  crawling  under  a  large  pile  of  clearing  brush,  and  was  not 
discovered  by  the  mob,  which,  however,  came  upon  Elder 
Tanner.  One  of  the  mobbers,  snapped  his  gun  at  this  brave 
man,  but  it  refused  to  go  off.  He  then  took  hold  of  the  muzzle 
and  struck  him  over  the  head  with  the  breach  of  the  gun, 
cutting  a  large  ugly  gash.  This  blow  would  probably  have 
killed  him,  had  it  not  been  for  his  heavy  felt  hat,  the  double 
thickness  of  which  caught  the  blow  first.  This  attempt 
at  murder  was  made  by  Captain  Myer  Odell. 

Elder  Tanner  was  taken  and  held  prisoner  two  or  three 
days,  wearing  his  bloody  clothes,  and  stubbornly  refusing  to 


16 


SCRAPS  OP  BIOGRAPHY. 


wash  the  blood  from  himself.  He  kept  his  team  and  wagon, 
and  they  let  him  go  out  upon  his  word  of  honor  to  take  a 
wounded  man  to  his  family,  after  which,  he  returned  to  their 
custody  and  redesmed  his  word.  At  this  time  the  Prophet 
Joseph  was  sentenced  to  b  e  shot,  but  General  Doniphan  pro- 
tested, and  withdrew  his  men.  On  the  day  when  the 
execution  was  to  have  taken  place,  the  Saints  laid  down  their 
arms,  and  some  of  the  prisoners,  among  whom  was  Elder 
Tanner,  were  released. 

During  the  militia  raid  just  referred  to,  he  lost  very 
heavily  as  quite  a  number  of  his  stock  were  stolen.  As  soon 
as  he  was  set  at  liberty  from  mob  custody,  he  went  to  work 
getting  things  together  preparatory  to  leaving  the  state  in 
obedience  to  the  gubernatorial  order,  and  on  the  third  day  of 
[March,  1539,  started  with  his  family  and  his  sons'  families  for 
Illinois.  He  arrived  in  New  Liberty  about  the  first  of  April, 
where  be  stopped  one  year  to  recruit,  and  was  much  prospered 
in  his  efforts. 

About  the  middle  of  March,  1840,  he  again  gathered  his 
effects  and  moved  within  four  miles  of  Montrose,  Lee  county, 
Iowa,  where  his  daughter,  Sariah,  was  born,  July,  1840.  Heie 
he  opened  and  cultivated  a  large  farm,  plowing  two  hundred  and 
fifty  acres,  and  about  two  hundred  acres  he  used  for  pasture.  He 
enclosed  all  this  by  a  good  fence.  In  this  place  he  lived  and 
prospered  six  years. 

At  the  April  conference  in  1844,  he  was  called  on  a  mission 
to  the  Eastern  States.  Before  starting,  he  went  to  Nau- 
voo,  where  he  saw  the  Prophet  Joseph,  and,  meeting  him  on 
the  street,  gave  him  his  note  of  hand  for  the  two  thousand 
dollars  loaned  in  Kirtland,  January,  1835,  to  redeem  the 
temple  laud.  The  Prophet  asked  him  what  he  wanted  done 
with  the  note.  Elder  Tanner  replied,  "Brother  Joseph,  you 
are  welcome  to  it."  The  Prophet  then  laid  his  right  hand 
heavily  on  Elder  Tanner's  shoulder,  saying,  "God  bless  you, 
Father  Tanner;  your  children  shall  never  beg  bread." 

He  aided  very  materially  in  the  building  of  the  Nauvoo 
Temple,  from  the  commencement  until  its  completion ;  and 
after  it  was  dedicated  he  received  therein  his  endowments, 
scalings  and  second  anointing. 


SKETCH  OF  AN  ELDER'S  LIFE. 


17 


In  the  Spring  of  1840,  he  sold  his  farm  at  a  nominal  price 
and  journeyed  to  the  llocky  Mountains  with  the  Saints  who 
were  compelled  to  leave  Nauvoo,  the  "City  of  Joseph."  He 
gtarted  about  the  middel  of  May  and  joined  the  westward-bound 
stream  of  Latter-day  Saints  in  their  memorable  exodus  from 
Illinois.  He  also  paid  for  the  removal  of  two  families  besides 
his  own,  up  to  Council  Bluffs.  On  the  16th  of  July,  he  fitted 
out  two  of  his  sons  and  sent  them  with  the  "Mormon  Bat- 
taliou"  into  Mexico  to  fight  the  battles  of  our  country.  On 
the  herd-ground  of  the  Saints,  at  a  point  north-west  of  Winter 
Quarters,  he  herded  the  stock  for  the  whole  camp  of  Israel, 
for  three  months. 

After  trials  in  journeyings — and  in  losses  and  hardships 
*in  vaiious  forms,  he  had  to  be  tried  by  fire.  About  the 
middle  of  January  1847,  his  house  and  three  wagon  boxes 
with  covers,  used  for  sleeping  rooms,  supplies  of  provisions 
and  groceries,  and  most  of  the  wearing  apparel,  were  destroyed 
by  fire.  Nothing  was  saved  but  beds  and  a  portion  of  the  bed- 
ding. But  his  noble  mind  and  the  persevering  energies  of  his 
nature  seemed  superior  to  misfortune ;  and  in  the  Spring  he 
assisted  in  fitting  out  the  Pioneers  for  their  journey  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  opened  up  another  farm  and  raised  a  good 
crop. 

In  the  Summer  of  1847,  Elder  Tanner  had  a  thrilling  adven. 
ture  with  Indians.  The  following  account  of  the  marvelous 
circumstance  is  from  the  journal  of  Jane  Grover  (afterwards 
Sister  Stewart). 

She  says,  "One  morning  we  thought  we  would  go  and 
gather  goose-berries.  Father  Tanner  (as  we  familiarly  called 
the  good,  patriarchal  John  Tanner)  harnessed  a  span  of  horses 
to  a  light  wagon,  and,  with  two  sisters  by  the  name  of  Lyman, 
his  little  grand-daughter  and  I,  started  out.  When  we 
reached  the  woods  we  told  the  old  gentleman  to  go  to  a  house 
which  was  in  sight,  and  rest,  while  we  picked  the  berries. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  little  girl  and  I  strayed  some  dis- 
tance from  the  others,  when,  suddenly  we  heard  shouts.  The 
little  girl  thought  it  was  her  grandfather,  and  she  was  going 
to  answer,  but  I  prevented  her,  thinking  it  might  be  Indians. 
We  walked  forward  until  within  sight  of  Father  Tanner,  when 


18 


SCRAPS  OP  BIOGRAPHY. 


we  saw  he  was  running  his  team  around.  We  thought  it 
nothing  strange  at  first,  but  as  we  approached,  we  saw  Indians 
gathering  around  the  wagon,  whooping  and  yelling  as  others 
came  and  joined  them.  We  got  into  the  wagon  to  start, 
when  four  of  the  Indians  took  hold  of  the  wagon,  and  two 
others  held  the  horses  by  the  bits,  and  another  came  to  take 
me  out  of  the  wagon.  I  then  began  to-  be  afraid  as  well  as 
vexed,  and  asked  Father  Tanner  to  let  me  get  out  of  the 
wagon  and  run  for  assistance.  He  said,  'No,  poor  child,  it  is 
too  late  ! '      I  told  him  they  should  not  take  me  alive. 

"Father  Tanner's  face  was  as  white  as  a  sheet !  The  Indians 
had  commenced  to  strip  him.  They  had  taken  his  watch  and  hand" 
kerchief,  and  while  stripping  him,  were  trying  to  pull  me  out 
of  the  wagon.  I  began  silently  to  appeal  to  my  Heavenly 
Father.  While  praying  and  struggling,  the  Spirit  of  the 
Almighty  fell  upon  me,  and  I  arose  with  great  power,  and  no 
tongue  can  describe  my  feelings.  1  was  as  happy  as  I  could 
be.  A  lew  moments  before,  I  saw  worse  than  death  staring 
me  in  the  face,  and  now  my  hand  was  raised  by  the  power  of. 
God,  and  I  talked  to  those  Indians  in  their  own  language. 
They  let  go  the  horses  and  wagon,  and  stood  in  front  of  me 
while  I  talked  to  them  by  the  power  of  God.  They  bowed 
their  heads  and  answered  'yes'  in  a  way  that  made  me  know 
what  they  meant.  Father  Tanner  and  the  little  girl  looked  on 
in  speechless  amazement.  I  realized  our  situation.  Their  cal- 
culation was  to  kill  Father  Tanner,  burn  the  wagon,  and  take 
us  women  prisoners.  This  was  plainly  shown  to  me.  When 
I  stopped  talking,  they  shook  hands  with  all  of  us  and 
returned  all  they  had  taken  from  Father  Tanner,  who  gave 
them  back  the  handkerchief,  and  I  gave  them  berries  and 
crackers.  By  this  time  the  other  two  women  came  up  and  we 
hastened  home. 

"The  Lord  gave  me  a  portion  of  the  interpretation  of  what  I 
had  said,  which  is  as  follows :  'I  suppose  you  Indian  warriors 
think  you  are  going  to  kill  us.  Don't  you  know  the  Great 
Spirit  is  watching  you,  and  knows  everything  in  your  hearts? 
We  have  come  out  here  to  gather  some  of  our  Father's  fruit. 
We  have  not  come  to  injure  you:  and  if  you  harm  us,  or 
injure  one  hair  of  our  heads,  the  Great  Spirit  will  smite  you 


SKETCH  OF  AN  ELDER'S  LIFE. 


10 


to  the  earth,  and  you  shall  not  have  power  to  breath  another 
breath.  We  have  been  driven  from  our  homes  and  so  have 
you.  We  have  come  out  here  to  do  you  good  and  not  to  injure 
you.  We  are  the  Lord's  people,  and  so  are  you ;  but  you  must 
cease  your  murders  and  wickedness.  The  Lord  is  displeased 
with  it  and  will  not  prosper  you  if  you  continue  in  it.  You 
think  you  own  all  this  land,  this  timber,  this  water  and  all 
these  horses.  You  do  not  own  one  thing  on  earth,  not  even 
the  air  you  breathe.    It  all  belongs  to  the  Great  Spirit.'" 

In  the  latter  part  of  June,  1848,  Elder  Tanner  fitted  up  five 
teams  and  wagons,  and  with  eighteen  months'  provisions) 
started  for  Salt  Lake,  celebrating  the  4th  of  July,  on  the  Elk 
Horn.  Between  Wood  River  and  Laramie  a  six  year  old 
grand-son  fell  from  the  tongue  of  a  wagon  loaded  with  about 
3,500  pounds.  Both  wheels  passed  obliquely  over  his  bowels, 
and  he  died  in  twenty  minutes.  With  the  exception  of  this 
sad  accident,  the  journey  was  prosperous,  and  he  arrived  in 
Salt  Lake  Valley  on  the  17th  of  October,  and  located  in 
South  Cottonwood. 

In  the  Autumn  of  1849,  he  was  afflicted  more  or  less  with 
rheumatism,  which  continued  to  increase  on  him  till  the  first 
of  January,  1850,  when  he  was  confined  to  his  bed  and  suffered 
severely  until  the  13th  day  of  April,  when  he  died  "the  death 
of  the  righteous."  He  was  the  father  of  twenty  children,  and 
has  left  an  example  worthy  of  imitation  by  his  numerous 
posterity  and  by  the  youth  of  Zion  everywhere. 


20 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


INCIDENTS  OF  EXPERIENCE. 


BY  DANIEL  T\r  LER. 


CHAPTER  I. 


ACCOUNT  OF  MY  ANCESTORS — -MY  BIRTH — REMARKABLE 
VISION — ITS  EFFECT  UPON  THOSE  WHO  HEARD  OF  IT — 
MY  FATHER  AND  GRAND-FATHER  BECOME  INTERESTED 
IN  READING  THE  SCRIPTURES — MY  GRAND-FATHER'S. 
PROPHECY — HIS  DISLOCATED  SHOULDER  REPLACED  BY 
THE  POWER  OF  GOD— MY  GRAND-FATHER'S  VISION  AND 
DEATH — "MORMON"  ELDERS  VISIT  THE  NEIGHBORHOOD 
— I  GO  TO  HEAR  THEM  PREACH — BELIEVE  THEIR  DOC- 
TRINES—MY FATHER  OPPOSED  TO  THE  ELDERS. 

I AM  a  descendant  of  Job  and  Mary  Tyler,  which  said  Job 
Tyler  was  born  in  Wales  or  England,  about  the  year  1619, 
or  1021),  and  emigrated  to  America  about  1640,  some  ten  years 
after  the  landing  of  the  pilgrim  fathers  on  Plymouth  Rock. 
My  emigrant  ancestor,  Job  Tyler,  settled  in  Andover,  Massa- 
chusetts, where  he  raised  a  family  of  four  sons  and  several 
daughters.  I  descended  from  Moses  Tyler,  the  oldest  son  of 
Job  and  Mary.  The  town  of  Andover  having  been  burned  and 
the  records  destroyed,  I  have  only  tradition,  which  is  rather 
vague,  for  much  of  the  early  history  of  my  family.  Enough, 
however,  is  known  to  show  that  several  eminent  lawyers,  min- 
isters, officers  and  soldiers  of  the  war  of  the  revolution  were 
among  them.  My  father,  Andrews  Tyler,  was  in  the  fourth 
generation  from  Job  and  Mary.  He  was  born  at  Boxford, 
adjoining  Andover.  His  father,  Nathaniel  Tyler,  served  as  a 
lieutenant  in  the  continental  army  in  the  revolutionary  war. 
My  grand-father  with  his  family  removed  from  Boxford,  Mass.^ 


INCIDENTS  OP  EXPERIENCE. 


L'l 


to  Herkamer  county,  New  York,  where  my  father,  Andrews 
Tyler,  married  Elizabeth  Comins,  daughter  of  lieutenant  and 
regimental  quartermaster,  John  Comins,  Jr.,  in  the  year  180G, 
to  whom  were  born  eleven  sons  and  one  daughter. 

I  was  born  in  Sempronious,  Cayuga  county,  New  York,  On 
the  23rd  of  November,  3  SI  G. 

About  the  year  1820,  or  early  in  1821,  I  had  a  remarkable 
vision,  which,  after  sixty-one  years  have  passed  away,  is  as 
vivid  in  my  recollection  as  the  scenes  of  yesterday.  I  had  occa- 
sion to  rise  from  my  bed  about  midnight.  Suddenly  the  room 
was  filled  with  a  brilliant  light,  brighter  than  the  noon-day  sun. 
I  looked  into  the  fire-place  only  to  discern  a  few  smouldering 
coals  covered  with  ashes.  I  gazed  upon  everything  visible  in 
the  house.  All  seemed  natural  except  that  the  light  gave  things  a 
brighter  hue.  I  looked  over  head  to  an  opening  between  two 
loose  boards  or  planks  where  my  father  usually  kept  his  saw, 
auger  and  other  small  tools.  There  I  beheld  a  hand  and  wrist 
which  were  nearly  transparent,  with  a  wrist-band  whiter  than 
the  pure  snow.  I  called  to  my  mother,  who  awoke  at  the 
second  call  and  inquired  what  I  wanted.  I  asked  who  was  in 
the  chamber,  and  was  told  there  was  no  one  there,  and  that  if 
there  had  been  I  could  not  have  seen  him  in  the  darkness.  I 
replied  it  was  not  dark.  On  my  stating  that  it  was  lighter  than 
day-light,  and  that  I  could  see  to  pick  up  a  pin,  I  was  told  to  go  to 
bed,  which  I  did,  when  the  vision  closed,  and  it  was  so  dark  I 
could  not  see  my  hand  before  me,  although  I  held  it  close  to  my 
face. 

On  relating  the  vision  to  my  mother  next  morning,  she  wept 
like  an  infant,  and  said:  "0,  my  child,  I  fear  you  are  not 
long  for  this  world. "  I,  however,  began  to  amend  from- that 
time  and  soon  recovered  from  a  chronic  ailment,  and  was  soon 
quite  well. 

The  news  of  the  vision  soon  spread  abroad,  and  was  much 
exaggerated.  As  is  natural,  our  house  was  thronged  with 
visitors,  and  I  had  to  relate  the  vision  over  and  over  again.  The 
conclusion  was  that  I  would  either  die,  or  the  Lord  had  a  great 
work  for  me  to  do.  It  was  predicted  that  I  would  become  a 
preacher  of  the  gospel.  This  was  then  considered  about  the 
greatest  work  in  which  mortals  could  engage. 


22 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


In  1S2;;,  my  father,  with  his  family,  moved  to  Springfield, 
Erie  Co  .  Pa. ,  where  his  father  and  some  other  relatives  had  pre- 
viously gone.  About  this  time  my  father  and  grand-father 
became  unusually  interested  in  reading  the  scriptures  and  talk- 
ing about  them  to  their  neighbors.  One  day  my  father  hap- 
pened to  open  to  Mark,  10th  chapter,  16th  and  17th  verses. 
After  reading  them  several  times  carefully  he  said,  "There  is  not 
a  true  believer  in  the  world,"  as  the  promise  was  that  the  signs 
spoken  of  should  follow  those  who  believed.  He  showed  the 
passage  to  several  ministers,  mostly  Methodists,  and  argued 
with  them.  The  more  he  argued  the  more  convinced  he  was 
that  the  gospel  was  not  on  the  earth,  and  he  was  able  to  con- 
found the  most  learned  divines,  although  he  was  quite  illiterate. 
My  grand-father  also  had  the  same  views  and  he  prophe- 
sied that  he  would  die.  but  my  father  would  live  to  see  the 
true  church  organized  with  all  the  apostolic  gifts  and 
blessings. 

For  this  cause  much  unfavorable  comment  in  the  neighbor- 
hood was  indulged  in,  and  my  grand-father  was  often  asked, 
usually  in  a  derisive  way,  why  he  did  not  have  his  dislocated 
shoulder,  which  had  been  out  of  place  for  some  thirty  years, 
replaced  by  the  power  of  faith.  He  argued  that  it  would  be 
done  if  he  had  sufficient  faith. 

One  morning  ,he  came  from  his  bed  room  and  told  my 
father's  family,  with  whom  he  lived,  that  the  Lord  had 
revealed  to  him  that,  "Whereas  physicians  had  said  your 
shoulder  could  not  be  set  He  would  let  them  know  it  could  be 
done,  for  He  would  do  it  Himself." 

My  father  replied  that  if  the  Lord  had  given  him  such  a 
revelation  it  would  be  so,  for  He  could  not  lie.  He,  however, 
was  rather  incredulous,  notwithstanding  he  had  been  advo- 
cating the  doctrine  of  miracles  for  some  time.  It  happened, 
not  long  afterwards,  that  while  my  grand- father  was  lying  in 
his  bed  at  the  dawn  of  day,  thinking  quietly  of  the  blessings 
of  (Jod  to  him,  his  shoulder  slipped  into  place  with  a  snap  that 
he  thought  might  have  been  heard  for  a  distance  of  one  or  two 
rods.  Previous  to  this  he  carried  his  arm  in  a  sling  most  of 
the  time  and  could  not  raise  his  hand  to  his  head,  but  from  that 
time  it  was  as  limber  as  the  other  and  had  its  full  strength. 


INCIDENTS  OF  EXPERIENCE. 


23 


This  was  a  testimony  that  could  not  be  impeached.  Outside  of 
the  family,  however,  it  was  looked  upon  as  a  mere  accident; 
but  the  previous  revelation  to  my  grand-father  convinced  the 
family  that  it  was  done  by  the  power  of  God.  This  was  in 
1S27,  and  in  1829  my  .grand-father  died. 

After  my  grand-father  was  taken  with  his  last  illness,  he  told 
my  parents  that  an  angel  appeared  to  him  clothed  in  white, 
and  told  him  he  would  not  recover,  for  his  sickness  was  unto 
death.  Ten  days  later  he  died.  To  save  ridicule,  however, 
this  vision  was  kept  secret  and  only  told  me  afterwards  by  my 
mother.  The  true  church  of  Christ  was  not  then  on  the  earth 
(February,  1829),  nor  had  such  an  occurrence  been  heard  of 
by  us  at  the  time.  Although  the  Father  and  the  Son  had 
appeared  to  Joseph  Smith  some  years  previously,  we  had  not 
heard  of  the  vision.  The  vision  of  my  grand-father  seemed 
so  strange  that  my  parents  hardly  knew  whether  to  attribute 
it  to  imagination  or  a  reality,  as  they  could  not  question  his 
sincerity,  he  having  always  been  strictly  reliable.  I  have  uever 
doubted,  however,  his  having  had  the  vision. 

He  walked  half  a  mile  to  bid  my  parents  good- by,  although 
in  poor  health.  On  parting,  **my  grand-father  wept  like  a 
child,  and  said,  "This  is  the  last  time  I  shall  ever  visit  you 
while  I  live." 

My  father  continued  his  researches  of  the  scriptures,  and 
found  that  everything  he  read  confirmed  his  views.  He 
never  allowed  a  traveling  minister  to  leave  the  neighborhood 
without  an  argument  if  he  could  avoid  it,  and  his  arguments 
were  in  no  instance  refuted. 

In  the  Spring  of  1832,  Elders  Samuel  H.  Smith  and  Orson 
Hyde,  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints, 
came  to  our  neighborhood  and  held  a  few  meetings.  Elder 
Smith  read  the  29th  chapter  of  Tsaiah  at  the  first  meeting  and 
delineated  the  circumstances  of  the  coming  forth  of  the  Book 
of  Mormon,  of  which  he  said  he  was  a  witness.  He  knew  his 
brother  Joseph  had  the  plates,  for  the  prophet  had  shown 
them  to  him,  and  he  had  handled  them  and  seen  the  engrav- 
ings thereon.  His  speech  was  more  like  a  narrative  than  a 
sermon.  Elder  Hyde  made  a  few  closing  remarks  and  appointed 
another  meeting.  At  the  close  of  the  first  meeting  my  father, 


24  SCRAPS  OP  BIOGRAPHY. 

•  as  his  custom  was,  sprung  his  usual  question  ahout  the  spiritual 
gifts  and  was  quite  surprised  to  hear  Elder  Smith  say,  "That 
is  our  doctrine,  and  we  have  those  gifts  in  our  Church." 

This  meeting  was  held  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Joseph  Harts- 
horn, one  of  our  neighbors.  At  the  clo^e  of  the  meeting  I 
picked  up  the  Book  of  Mormon,  which  they  had  left  lying  on 
the  table,  and  began  to  read  the  preface  in  relation  to  Martin 
Harris  losing  1 1G  pages  of  the  original  manuscript.  When 
I  had  read  as  far  as  a  quotation  from  a  revelation,  now  found 
in  the  Book  of  Doctrine  and  Covenants,  my  brother,  William, 
took  the  book  out  of  my  hands  and  closed  it,  remarking  that 
good  people  said  it  carried  with  it  a  spirit  of  witchcraft,  which 
caused  those  who  read  it  to  be  bewitched  and  join  the  "Mor- 
mon" church.  I  was  then  over  fifteen  years  of  age  and  my 
brother,  who  was  next  older  than  myself,  was  in  his  eighteenth 
year.  He  was  wild  and  sometimes  profane,  especially  when 
angry,  and  I  w^s  quite  taken  by  surprise  to  hear  him  quote 
what  "good  people  said,"  as  previously  I  had  never  heard 
him  speak  of  them,  except  in  derision.  The  last  words  I  read 
where  so  riveted  upon  my  mind  that  1  sometimes  feared  there 
was  some  truth  in  the  remark  about  the  book  being  bewitch- 
ing. The  words  were,  "I  will  show  unto  them"  (the  wicked 
who  had  designed  to  change  the  manuscript  in  case  Joseph 
re-translated  it)  "that  my  wisdom  is  greater  than  the  cunning 
of  the  devil." 

Before  leaving  the  place  the  Elders  baptized  three  persons. 
My  father  soon  became  a  bitter  enemy.  I  believed  every  word 
of  the  first  discourse  referred  to  previously,  but  dared  not 
make  my  belief  known  because  of  my  youth  and  the  bitter- 
ness of  my  father.  He  admitted  that  the  "Mormon" 
doctrines  were  true,  but  claimed  that  the  members  of  that 
church  had  adopted  them  to  cover  up  a  fraud.  All  classes  of 
people  joined  in  the  cry,  "Beware  of  false  prophets  who  come 
to  you  in  sheep's  clothing,"  etc  ,  telling  rediculous  stones  about 
"Old  Joe  Smith  walking  on  the  water,"  pretended  miracles, 
angels  being  caught,  etc.  The  stories  were  about  the  same  as 
those  which  the  Elders  now  have  to  refute. 


i 


INCIDENTS  Of  EXPERIENCE. 


CHAPTER  II. 


MY  COVENANT  WITH  THE  LORD — -MY  SISTER  DESIRES  BAP- 
TISM— MY  BROTHERS'  THREAT— VISIT  OF  HYRUM  SMITH 
—MY  SISTER  BAPTIZED— I  BREAK  MY'  COVENANT— MY 
FATHER'S  DREAM— MY  BAPTISM — EXHORTATION  TO  THE 
YOUNG— SPIRITUAL  GIFTS  RECEIVED— MEETING  DISTURBED 
RY  MOIiS— AFTER  TALKING  TO  THEM  THEY  BECOME 
QUIET  AND  LEAVE  THE  PLACE — SOME  OF  THE  MOB  JOIN 
THE  CHURCH — THE  LEADER.  OF  THE  MOB  DIES  SUDDENLY 
— MOBBINGS  CEASE. 

THERE  was  do  human  being  to  whom  I  dared  make  known 
the  fact  that  I  believed  in  the  teachings  of  the  despised 
"Mormons."  I  had,  however,  for  some  time  been  in  the 
habit  of  engaging  in  secret  prayer,  and  now,  in  this  hour  of 
trial,  I  went  to  my  place  of  secret  resort  and  poured  out  my 
soul  to  the  Lord  and  made  covenant  with  Him  that  in  case  my 
only  sister  would  believe  and  be  baptized  I  would  go  with  her. 
I  soon  learned  that  she,  like  myself,  had  believed  the  work 
from  the  beginning  and  was  resolved  to  be  baptized  at  the  first 
opportunity.  She  was  then  in  service  at  one  of  our  neigh- 
bors. When  shS  came  home  on  a  visit  father  asked  her  if  what 
he  had  heard,  that  she  intended  to  join  the  "3Iormons,"  was 
true.  She  answered  that  she  believed  they  were  right  and  felt 
it  her  duty  to  join  them.  He  remonstrated  until  he  saw  that 
her  mind  was  bent  on  being  baptized  at  the  first  opportunity. 
He  then  said,  "If  you  do  join  them,  you  must  never  darken 
my  door  afterwards."  Still  her  resolution  was  unchanged. 
My  older  brothers  told  her  they  would  shoot  any  "Mormon" 
Elder  who  dared  to  baptize  her.  Thus  matters  continued  for 
several  months,  during  which  time  I  continued  praying,  not 
only  for  my  sister,  but  for  my  parents  and  brothers,  although 
my  mother  said  but  little  either  way. 
l* 


26 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


About  December,  1832,  Elder  Hyrum  Smith,  brother  to  the 
prophet,  came  to  our  neighborhood.  My  father  told  him  that 
his  daughter,  who  was  present,  was  bent  on  being  baptized 
into  his  church,  stating  at  the  same  time,  that  the  Elder  <vho 
baptized  her  woxild  do  so  at  his  peril.  The  Elder  quite 
mildly  remarked  in  substance  as  follows:  "Mr.  Tyler,  we 
shall  not  baptize  your  daughter  against  your  wishes.  If  our 
doctrine  be  true,  which  we  testify  it  is,  if  you  prevent  your 
daughter  from  embracing  it,  the  sin  will  be  on  your  head,  not 
on  ours  or  your  daughter's." 

This  remark  pricked  him  to  the  heart.  He  began  to  think 
that  possibly  the  "Mormons"  were  right  and  he  was  wrong. 
He  therefore  decided  to  counsel  his  daughter  in  the  matter  and 
tben  permit  her  to  exercise  her  free  agency.  He  would  thus 
relieve  himself  of  any  responsibility. 

His  remarks  to  my  sister  were  to  the  effect  that  if  this  new 
religion  was  true,  it  was  the  best  religion  in  the  world,  but,  if 
false,  it  was  the  worst.  "These  men,"  said  he,  "know 
whether  it  is  true  or  false,  but  I  do  not."  He  wished  her  to 
reflect  upon  all  these  things  before  making  a  move  in  the  matter. 
She  replied  that  sbe  had  weigbed  them  long  ago  and  believed 
it  to  be  her  duty  to  be  baptized.  He  took  her  on  au  ox-sled  to 
Lake  Erie,  a  distance  of  two  miles,  where,  after  a  hole  was 
cut  through  three  feet  of  solid  ice,  she  was  baptized  and  con- 
firmed into  the  Church  by  Elder  Hyrum  Smith. 

But  where  was  the  writer  who  had  covenanted  with  the 
Lord  to  go  with  his  sister  in  case  she  was  baptized  ? 

He  remained  at  home,  a  broken-hearted,  bashful  boy,  w  ith- 
out stamina  enough  to  come  out  and  coufront  a  wicked  world. 
Soon  after,  my  grand-father  appeared  to  my  father  in  a  dream, 
and  told  him  that  this  was  the  people  he  prophecied  of  while 
living,  and  my  parents  were  baptized.  Then  my  persecuting 
brothers  followed.  When  the  last  named  went  into  the  water 
I  stood  on  the  shore,  feeling  as  though  my  ease  was  almost 
hopeless.  I  had  twice  failed  to  keep  my  covenants  with  the 
Lord  and  now  the  third  promise  was  about  to  be  broken.  At 
this  juncture  my  father,  who  knew  nothing  of  my  covenants, 
observing  that  I  looked  downcast,  stepped  to  my  side  and 
asked  what  was  the  matter.  T  was  speechless  and  could  not  utter  a 


INCIDENTS  OF  EXPERIENCE. 


27 


word.  I  had  been  studying  how  I  could  ever  have  a  heart  to 
call  upon  the  Lord  again.  How  could  He  trust  me  further? 
On  my  father  asking  if  it  was  not  hard  for  my  sister,  parents 
and  brothers  to  leave  me,  I  broke  completely  down  and  wept 
aloud.  My  father  then  for  the  first  time  told  me  I  could  be 
baptized  if  I  wished.  I,  however,  waited  until  the  next  Wed- 
nesday, this  being  on  Sunday.  During  the  interval,  however, 
I  plead  with  the  Lord  to  forgive  me  of  my  sin  of  covenant- 
breaking  ;  and  when  I  came  up  ont  of  the  water,  not  before, 
did  1  feel  that  He  had  answered  my  prayers,  and  that  all  my 
sins  were  pardoned.  This  was  on  the  16th  day  of  January, 
1833.    I  was  a  little  over  sixteen  years  of  age. 

I  hope  my  young  readers  will  keep  their  covenants  with  the 
Lord  and  not  have  the  sorrow  of  heart  I  had.  It  was  so 
intense  that  I  question  very  much  whether  I  could  survive  the 
same  length  of  time  with  my  present  infirmities  of  age.  I 
had  not  the  advantages  of  the  present  period.  I  had  only 
what  I  had  learned  from  reading  the  Bible.  I  had  only  heard 
perhaps  from  two  to  four  gospel  sermons  and  those  mainly  by 
young  Elders.  I  do  not  mention  this  fact  in  justification  of 
my  course,  yet  I  do  believe  that  the  Lord  was  more  merciful 
towards  me  than  He  would  have  been  if  I  had  had  the  advan- 
tages that  the  people  have  now,  especially  those  of  our  young 
people  who  have  kind  parents  who  are  Latter-day  Saints  to 
encourage  and  lead  them  along  in  the  right  way.  One  kind 
word  of  invitation  and  persuasion  on  the  part  of  my  parents 
at  a  proper  time  would  have  removed  all  obstacles,  and  been 
hailed  as  a  heavenly  boon.  I  desired  to  break  the  fetters 
which  seemed  to  bind  me. 

Here  let  me  exhort  all  parents  to  do  all  they  can  to  encourage 
their  children  to  be  baptized  at  eight  years  of  age,  and  much 
earlier  to  pray,  ask  a  blessing  on  the  food,  and  attend  the 
primary  meetings  and  Sabbath  schools.  At  and  prior  to  the 
time  of  my  serious  convictions,  of  which  I  have  spoken,  such 
institutions  and  encouragement  would  have  been  prized  above 
all  earthly  things. 

I  did  attend  a  Methodist  Sabbath  school,  the  only  one  I 
knew  anything  about ;  but  at  the  tender  age  of  fifteen  years  I 
was  better  versed  in  the  true  interpretation  of  the  scriptures 


28 


SCRAPS  OP  BIOGRAPHY. 


than  the  teacher.  But  attending  Sabbath  school  kept  me  out 
of  the  company  of  wicked  boys,  aud  had  a  tendency  to  teach 
me  a  reverence  for  the  Sabbath  day. 

After  I  was  baptized,  however,  I  never  attended  the 
Methodist  Sabbath  school  any  more,  although  it  was  desired 
that  I  should.  My  teachers  said  I  was  always  honest  and 
truthful,  and  they  believed  I  was  sincere  in  my  religion,  and 
if  I  would  continue  to  attend  their  Sunday  school  I  would  see 
my  error.  They  believed  I  had  been  converted,  and  that  when 
1  got  a  few  years  older  I  would  be  called  to  preach  the  gospel, 
and,  would  be  the  means  of  saving  many  souls. 

I  admitted  having  been  converted  and  that  I  knew  iuy  .-ins 
were  forgiven,  and  further  testified  that  obedience  to  "Mor- 
monism,"  so-called,  was  what  had  brought  peace  to  my  soul; 
and  the  nearer  I  lived  to  it,  the  more  of  the  peace  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  I  felt, 

The  gift  of  prophecy  was  poured  out  upon  me.  I  also 
received  the  gift  and  interpretation  of  tongues.  But  what 
then  and  ever  since  has  seemed  to  me  the  greatest  gift  I 
received  was  to  speak  easily  and  fluently  in  my  own  language. 
This  was  the  first  gift  I  received.  It  came  upon  me  in  great 
power.  A  few  months  after  my  baptism  several  leading  Elders 
from  Kirtland,  Ohio,  were  about  to  be  dragged  from  our 
school  house  by  a  mob  who  had  assembled  to  tar  and  feather 
them.  When  the  Elders  and  others  failed  to  stop  them  from 
disturbing  the  meeting,  I  stepped  upon  a  form  or  bench  and 
began  to  talk  to  the  people.  Five  minutes  had  not  elapsed 
when,  aside  from  my  voice,  a  pin  dropping  upon  the  floor 
might  have  been  easily  heard.  After  I  had  spoken  about  ten 
or  fifteen  minutes  the  mob  left  the  house,  and,  after  consulting 
outside  a  few  moments,  retired,  and  we  had  a  good  meeting. 

This  circumstance  had  gone  out  of  my  mind  until  about 
184'.t,  while  stopping  over  night  at  the  house  of  a  brother 
named  Brim.  Alfred  0.  Brim,  who  was  one  of  the  mob,  called 
my  attention  to  it,  and  asked  me  if  I  knew  that  they  had  a 
keg  of  tar  and  a  feather  bed  in  the  carrige  in  which  they  came 
to  the  meeting. 

I  replied  that  I  did  not  think  I  ever  heard  of  it.  He  said 
they  brought  the  tar  and  the  feathers  with  the  full  intent  to 


INCIDENTS  OP  EXPERIENCE. 


29 


use  them  on  the  Elders,  but  they  were  so  surprised  at  the 
power  with  which  I  spoke  that  they  knew  I  was  helped  by  some 
invisible  spirit.  They  had  known  me  since  I  was  seven  years 
old,  and  were  satisfied  that  I  had  not  made  up  the  speech, 
and  that  I  was  not  capable  of  doing  so.  They  decided  that  it 
must  be  of  the  Lord  or  of  the  devil.  Of  this  they  could  not 
be  the  judges,  not,  as  they  said,  having  the  discerning  of 
spirits.  Hence  one  of  them  suggested  that  lest  they  be  found 
fighting  against  God,  they  had  better  retire.  All  agreed  to  it 
and  they  left. 

Brim  and  several  of  his  brothers  afterwards  joined  the 
church,  and  were  at  one  time  prominent  tanners  in  Salt  Lake 
bounty,  Utah. 

J>r.  Rion,  an  eminent  physician  of  Springfield,  who,  I 
believe,  was  the  leader,  it  was  said,  died  instantly  of  apoplexy, 
some  time  after,  while  sitting  in  his  chair. 

I  never  heard  any  more  talk  of  mobbing  in  that  neighbor- 
hood. Thus  the  Lord  made  use  of  a  humble,  unlearned  boy  to 
break  up  a  spirit  of  mobocracy  which  had  existed  for  some 
months,  and  saved  His  servants  from  cruel  treatment  and 
possible  death. 


i 


an 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


CHAPTER  III. 


ORDAINED  TO  THE  PRIESTHOOD— INVITED  TO  PREACH— I 
MAKE  UP  A  SERMON  ON  MY  WAY— SERMON  APPARENTLY 
A  FAILURE  TO  ME — MY  HEARERS  SATISFIED  WITH  IT — 
ABUSED  BY  A  BAPTIST  MINISTER — HE  DESIRES  A  SIGN — 
A  SIGN  PROMISED  AND  FULFILLED— BLESSINGS  RECEIVED 
IN  THE  KIRTLAND  TEMPLE — WORDS  OF  THE  PROPHET 
JOSEPH — THEIR  FULFILLMENT — AN  INCIDENT  IN  MISSOURI 
— LITERAL  FULFILLMENT  OF  A  PREDICTION  UTTERED  BY 
JOSEPH  SMITH — HIS  PATRIOTISM — STRANGE  PHENOMENON 
—ITS  EFFECT. 

/^iX  the  4th  day  of  August,  1 834,  I  was  ordained  to  the 


v«/  lesser  Priesthood  under  the  hands  of  Lorenzo  Wells,  who  at 
the  time  presided  over  the  branch.  Within  less  than  a  month, 
I  was  invited  to  bring  an  Elder  with  me  and  preach  in  Mercer 
Co.,  Pa.  I  sent  an  appointment,  hut,  being  unable  to  get 
an  Elder  to  accompany  me,  I  resolved  to  go  alone.  The  dis- 
tance was  about  fifty  miles. 

On  the  way  t  preached  in  my  mind  the  greatest  sermon  I 
ever  had  preached,  and  perhaps  greater  than  I  have  ever  been 
able  to  preach  since.  This  sermon,  of  course,  1  intended  to 
preach  when  I  reached  my  destination.  The  arguments  would 
be  irresistible.  When  I  arrived,  I  sang,  opened  the  meeting 
by  prayer,  sang  again,  and  read  my  text,  but  the  sermon — 
alas,  it  was  gone,  and  I  would  have  given  everything  I  pos- 
sessed to  have  been  back  home.  This  was  the  first  gospel 
sermon  ever  preached  in  the  neighborhood,  for  although  my 
made-up  sermon  was  gone,  I  made  an  effort  to  teach  the  peo- 
ple the  way  of  life.  I  read  a  great  many  passages  of  scripture 
on  the  first  principles  of  the  gospel,  making  brief  comments 
on  each  as  I  could  think  of  but  little  to  say.  After  occupying 
perhaps  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  and,  as  I  supposed  dis- 


INCIDENTS  OF  EXPERIENCE.  31 

gusting  every  one,  I  brought  the  meeting  to  a  close  with  a  faint 
hope,  and  a  very  faint  one,  too,  that  I  would  be  invited  to  speak 
again.  In  that  case  I  would  plead  with  the  Lord  to  forgive 
me  for  making  up  a  sermon  beforehand  and  help  my  future 
efforts,  and  the  people  would  not  be  so  much  disappointed, 
after  all,  if  I  could  have  an  opportunity  to  redeem  myself. 

No  sooner  was  the  meeting  closed  than  the  people  gathered 
around  me  and  requested  me  to  preach  at  their  houses,  and,  I 
believe,  four  out  of  the  remaining  evenings  of  the  week  were 
engaged  in  much  less  time  than  it  has  taken  me  to  write  it. 

While  walking  towards  the  residence  of  my  friend  I  saw  a 
thicket  of  underbrush  not  far  from  our  path.  To  it  I  retired 
and  poured  out  my  soul  to  the  Lord  to  forgive  me  my  folly  and 
aid  me  in  the  future. 

While  seated  at  the  dinner  table,  my  friend  remarked: 
"Well,  Daniel,  you  had  nearly  all  the  big  men  of  the  county, 
from  the  county  seat,  to  hear  you,  and  what  do  you  think  they 
said  about  your  preaching?"  # 

I  was  ashamed  to  answer  that  I  expected  they  would  set  it 
down  as  a  fruitless  effort  to  deceive  the  people,  and  felt  badly 
hurt  that  he  should  ask  me  such  a  question  in  company.  I, 
however,  put  on  as  bold  a  front  as  I  could,  and  simply 
answered  that  I  did  not  know. 

In  this  case  I  learned  that  man's  thoughts  were  not  always 
as  the  Lord's  thoughts,  for  the  rule  is,  that  when  the  Elder 
satisfies  his  own  feelings,  the  hearers  are  pleased  and  edified; 
yet,  in  this  case,  the  rule  was  reversed.  My  friend  and  former 
neighbor  informed  me  that  the  learned  judge  and  lawyers 
inquired  of  him  where  I  had  graduated,  adding  that  they 
never  heard  a  man  quote  so  much  scripture  to  prove  his  doc- 
trines and  apply  it  so  well.  In  fine,  it  was  the  greatest  sermon 
they  ever  heard. 

Now,  my  young  friends,  it  was  not  I  that  had  preached  a 
great  sermon.  I  am  sure  it  was  not ;  for  to  this  day  I  look 
upon  it  as  one  of  my  weakest  efforts  at  preaching.  It  being 
only  my  fourth  trial,  I  think  you  will  come  to  a  similar  con- 
clusion. The  fact  was,  when  I  read  to  them  the  holy  scriptures 
the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  rested  upon  them,  although  they  knew 
it  not,  and  opened  their  eyes  to  see  and  understand  the  truth. 


32 


SCRAPS  OV  BIOGRAPHY. 


This  is  what  is  meant  by  the  scripture,  "How  shall  they  hear 
without  a  preacher,  and  how  shall  he  preach  except  he  be 
sent?"'  The  Lord  sends  His  servants  to  preach  the  gospel, 
and  a  portion  of  His  Spirit  rests  upon  those  who  hear,  and 
they  are  "born  again"  to  "see  the  kingdom  of  God,"  pre- 
paratory to  being  "born  of  water  and  of  the  Spirit," 
to  enter  into  it.  The  first  birth  is  being  converted  from  error 
to  truth,  being  able  to  see  clearly  that  it  is  truth.  The  second 
is  the  immersion  in  water  for  remission  of  sins,  and  the  laying 
on  of  hands  foribe  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Before  leaving  the  neighborhood  a  learned  Baptist  minister 
by  the  name  of  Peters,  arose  at  the  close  of  a  meeting  held  in  a 
private  house  and  abused  me  in  a  shameful  manner,  frothing 
at  the  mouth.  I  replied  briefly  to  all  that  was  worth  answer- 
ing, and  he  was  confounded.  He  subsequently  came  to  my 
lodgings,  and  we  sat  and  conversed  on  the  principles' of  the 
gospel  until  after  midnight. 

Like  others  of  his  spirit,  he  was  desirous  of  having  a  sign.  I 
finally  told  him  1  would  give  him  a  sign,  which  was  that,  if  he  did 
not  speedily  repent  and  be  baptized  for  the  remission  of  his  sins, 
the  judgments  of  God  would  overtake  bim.  He  left  me  with  a 
downcast  look.  He  doubtless  expected  that  I  would  hunt  up 
some  sick  person  and  heal  him.  About  three  weeks  after- 
ward my  friend  came  to  our  place  on  a  visit  and  informed  me 
that  my  prediction  was  literally  fulfilled.  The  learned  Mr. 
Peters,  who  boasted  of  being  proficient  in  three  dead  lan- 
guages, had  been  thrown  from  a  horse,  and  crippled  for  life- 
The  last  1  heard  of  him  he  was  a  helpless,  imbecile  pauper. 

I  had  the  inestimable  blessing  of  receiving  my  endowments 
in  the  temple  at  Kirtland,  being  anointed  a  priest  after  the 
order  of  Aaron.  It  would  be  impossible  for  me  to  describe 
all  the  blessings  bestowed  upon  the  different  quorums  of  the 
priesthood.  Some  saw  angels,  others  saw  the  horses  and 
chariots  of  Israel.  Some  spoke  in  tongues  and  others  pre- 
dicted many  of  the  great  calamities  that  are  now  befalling  the 
nations,  such  as  pestilence,  war,  famine,  tornadoes,  etc. 

All  felt  that  they  had  a  foretaste  of  heaven.  In  fact,  there 
were  several  weeks  in  which  we  were  not  tempted  of  the 
devil;  and  we  wondered  whether  the  millennium  had  commenced. 


INCIDENTS  OF  EXPERIENCE. 


33 


At  or  near  the  close  of  the  endowments,  the  Prophet  Joseph 
addressed  us.  Among  other  things  he  said  :  "Brethren,  for 
some  time  Satan  has  not  had  power  to  tempt  you.  Some 
have  thought  that  there  would  he  no  more  temptation.  But 
the  opposite  will  come ;  and  unless  you  draw  near  to  the  Lord 
you  will  be  overcome  and  apostatize." 

A  few  months  later,  four  of  the  Apostles  were  cut  oft'  from 
the  Church  for  apostasy,  and  the  standing  of  one  or  two 
others  was  very  doubtful.  Numbers  from  other  quorums  also 
fell  away  and  were  cut  off. 

Brief  descriptions  of  the  Missouri  persecutions  have  been 
published  at  different  times.  If  a  detailed  account  of  the 
mobbings  the  Saints  endured  while  in  Missouri  were  to  be 
published  it  would  make  a  large  volume. 

I  will  mention  one  prophecy  among  the  many  predictions  of 
the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  that  was  literally  fulfilled. 

During  the  persecutions  in  the  fall  of  1838,  one  of  the 
brethren  happened  to  be  a  stranger  in  Richmond,  Ray  Co., 
Missouri,  a  distance  of  some  thirty  or  forty  miles  from  Far 
West,  in  Caldwell  county,  where  the  Saints  dwelt.  About 
sundown  he  saw  men  loading  guns  into  a  carriage,  and  learned 
that  they  were  to  be  taken  that  night  to  the  mob  in  Daviess 
county,  to  fight  the  "Mormons.  "  He  feigned  to  be  traveling  in 
the  opposite  direction,  and  took  a  circuitous  route  to  Far 
West,  but  did  not  arrive  there  until  about  eight  o'clock  the 
next  morning.  He  related  what  he  had  seen  of  the  actions  of 
the  mob,  and  a  call  was  immediately  made  for  ten  volunteers 
to  accompany  Captain  Allred,  of  the  militia,,  to  intercept  and 
take  the  arms.  To  do  this  we  had  about  twenty  miles  to  ride 
across  a  trackless  prairie,  to  reach  the  road  leading  from  Rich- 
mond to  Daviess  county,  where  the  mob  was  quartered.  The 
man  with  the  guns  had  a  good,  smooth  road,  free  from  rocks 
or  obstructions  of  any  kind,  and,  to  all  human  appearance, 
might  have  reached  his  destination  before  we  obtained  the 
news  of  his  having  the  arms. 

When  all  were  mounted,  the  Prophet  Joseph  said  to  Brother 
Allred,  "I  want  you  to  ride  as  fast  as  your  horses  can  carry 
you,"  (pointing  the  direction,  that  he  might  not  reach  the 
road  in  rear  of  the  carriage)  "and  you  will  get  those  arms." 
a 


34 


SCRAPS  OP  BIOGRAPHY. 


These  last  words  inspired  faith  in  the  little  band,  and  even  the 
horses  did  not  seem  to  become  weary. 

When  we  neared  the  road,  we  cast  our  eyes  towards  Rich-  • 
mond,  and  at  a  distance  of  about  half  a  mile  we  discovered  a 
black-covered  carriage  standing  in  the  road,  without  any  team 
attached  to  it.  On  nearing  it,  we  saw  that  it  was  empty.  We 
examined  and  found  that  one  of  the  axles  was  newly  broken  in 
two.  Here  was  the  carriage  described,  but  where  were  the 
guns?  We  soon  discovered  a  trail  in  the  high  grass  where 
something  heavy  had  been  dragged  from  near  the  carriage. 
We  followed  this  trail  a  short  distance  and  found  a  wooden 
box,  containing  seventy-four  United  States  yaugers.  While 
consulting  how  to  get  them  to  the  town,  we  looked  in  the 
direction  of  the  mob^and  discovered  two  men  coming,  about 
as  fast  as  they  could  drive,  in  a  lumber  wagon.  When  they 
discovered  us,  supposing  us  to  be  mobs,  they  swung  their  hats 
and  shouted  "hurrah!"  two  or  three  times,  and  our  little 
troop  responded  in  the  same  way. 

They  got  very  near  before  they  discovered  their  mistake. 
Brother  Allred  directed  the  teamster  to  drive  along  side  of  the 
box.  He  then  told  the  two  men  to  get  out  and  put  it  into  the 
wagon,  and  then  follow  him.  We  returned  the  way  we  came, 
and  reached  our  destination  about  sundown,  when,  after  the 
guns  were  taken  from  the  wagon,  the  men  and  team  were 
released.  The  prediction  of  the  prophet  was  fulfilled,  and 
the  long-range  guns,  which  were  the  best  then  known,  designed 
for  our  destruction,  were  in  our  hands. 

Joseph,  knowing  that  the  guns  were  government  property, 
sent  a  dispatch  immediately  to  notify  General  Atchinson  and 
Colonel  Doniphan  of  Clay  county,  what  had  been  done.  They 
directed  that  the  arms  should  be  delivered  over  to  them,  they 
pledging  their  honor  that  they  should  not  be  used  against  our 
people. 

The  prophet's  patriotism .  would  not  allow  him  to  retain 
government  property,  although  it  had  been  obtained  by  our 
enemies  for  our  destruction.  If  this  was  not  a  test  of  loyalty 
I  fail  to  see  an  opportunity  where  a  test  could  be  given. ' 

I  will  relate  one  incident  which  occurred  during  the  exodus 
of  the  Saints  from  Missouri:  On  the  13th  of  February,  1839,  ' 


INCIDENTS  OP  EXPERIENCE. 


35 


about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  an  object  was  seen  flying 
diagnally  across  our  road,  apparently  about  two  hundred  yards 
in  front  of  us.  To  me,  at  first  sight,  it  had  the  appearance  of 
a  large  prairie  hawk.  It  assumed  the  form  of  a  fish  to  Brother 
Stephen  M.  St.  John,  and  it  appeared  differently  to  others 
during  the  less  than  one  minute  it  was  in  sight.  It  was  seen 
all  over  the  state,  and  the  people  were  considerably  frightened, 
fearing  that  it  was  a  forerunner  of  some  terrible  calamity, 
which  would  befall  them  for  their  "unjust  and  inhuman  treat- 
ment of  the  Mormons."  The  result  was  that  we  wercmore 
kindly  treated  during  the  remainder  of  our  exodus  from  the 
state. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


A  CASE  OF  PALSY  HEALED — ITS  EFFECT  ON  THE  PEOPLE — 
MR.  BRIDGES  UNBELIEF — THE  CASE  OF  WIDOW  CADE — SHE 
IS  PARTIALLY  CURED  BY  FAITH — TEMPTS  THE  LORD  AND 
DIES — I  AM  CALLED  ON  A  MISSION  TO  EUROPE — TERRIBLE 
SEA-STORM — THE  PRAYERS  OF  THE  ELDERS  ARE  HEARD 
AND  THE  WINDS  CEASE — WE  ARRIVE  SAFELY  IN  A  BADLY 
SHATTERED  SHIP. 

WHILE  traveling  and  preaching  in  the  state  of  Mississippi, 
in  ]  841  or  1842,  I  was  invited  to  remain  all  night  with  a 
Mr.  John  Knight,  who  was  prostrate  with  the  palsy,  and  had 
been  in  that  condition  for  several  weeks.  This  man  was  an  infi- 
del although  his  family  belonged  to  the  Methodist  church. 
Being  called  upon  to  pray,  before  going  to  bed,  I  remembered 
the  afflicted  head  of  the  family.  When  the  prayer  was  ended  he 
said,  that  as  I  was  praying  for  him,  a  warming  influence  such 
as  he  had  never  felt  before,  extended  down  his  palsied  side. 
After  I  had  tarried  over  a  few  nights  with  him,  he  desired  to 
receive  the  ordinance  of  the  laying  on  of  hands.  I  called  in 
two  other  Elders,  and  we  explained  to  him  that  should  he  be 
healed  and  then  refuse  to  obey  the  gospel  he  would  incur  a 


36 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


great  responsibility.  He  finally  agreed  that  if  he  ever  was  so 
far  relieved  as  to  he  able  to  get  to  the  water  he  would  be  bap- 
tized. At  this  time  he  bad  lain  upon  what  is  termed  a  cricket, 
or  tribet,  for  about  six  or  eight  weeks.  His  left  side  and  limbs 
were  powerless.  When  he  desired  to  be  turned  over  it  was 
done  by  pulling  a  blanket,  kept  under  him  for  that  purpose. 
There  lived  in  that  vicinity  a  Methodist  preacher  by  the  name 
of  Bridges.  Like  many  of  his  class,  he  persecuted  the  Saints, 
never  forgetting  to  demand  a  sign.  In  his  public  discourses 
he  would  say,  "Let  the  Mormons  heal  old  man  Knigbt  and 
we  will  all  believe  on  them."  But  we  did  not  propose  to 
tempt  the  Lord  by  asking  a  sign  to  gratify  the  curiosity  of  a 
wicked  man.  We,  however,  anointed  the  palsied  side, 
according  to  Mr.  Knight's  request,  and  laid  our  bands  upon 
him,  and  when  the  palsey  was  rebuked  he  straightened  the 
afflicted  arm  while  our  hands  were  yet  upon  him. 

I  now  had  to  go  out  in  my  district  and  fill  appointments 
which  1  had  made;  but  when  I  returned  at  the  end  of  two 
weeks,  I  learned  that  Mr.  Knight  had  walked  nearly  half  a 
mile  and  had  been  baptized.  A  goodly  number  of  others  had 
also  been  baptized,  and  we  organized  a  branch  of  the 
Church  with  Samuel  L.  G-ully  (known  as  Lieutenant  Gully,  in 
the  history  of  the  Mormon  Battalion),  as  presiding  Elder.  All 
apostatized  shortly  afterwards  excepting  Elder  Gully  and  a  few 
others  who  had  believed  and  were  anxious  to  get  baptized 
before  this  remakable  case  of  healing  occurred,  thus  proving 
the  truth  of  the  revelation  which  says,  "Those  who  seek  signs 
shall  have  signs,  but  not  unto  salvation."  Even  the  man  who 
received  this  manifestation  of  God's  power  went  back  to  the 
beggarly  elements  of  the  world,  although  he  still  bore  testi- 
mony to  the  fact  that  he  was  healed,  but  said  he  "did  not 
know  whether  Joseph  Smith  was  a  true  prophet  or  an 
impostor." 

But  what  of  Mr.  Bridges?  This  wicked  preacher,  when 
reminded  of  his  own  sayings  in  regard  to  believing  if  shown  a 
sign,  answered  that  the  old  man  had  been  "playing  the  possum" 
all  the  time,  and  that  there  had  been  nothing  the  matter  with 
him.  "Playing  the  possum,"  simply  means  pretending  to  be 
sick  when  one  is  well.  The  proverb  is  derived  from  an  animal 


INCIDENTS  OF  EXPERIENCE.  37 

known  as  the  "opossum."  It  is  something  larger  than  a  com- 
mon domestic  cat,  and  when  pursued  by  dogs  or  men  will  lie 
upon  the  ground  and  feign  itself  dead.  Thus  the  preacher 
pretended  to  believe  Mr.  Knight  feigned  his  illness  to  "palm 
off  a  Mormon  deception,"  although  he  had  been  prostrated 
some  time  before  he  knew  anything  about  the  Latter-day 
Saints,  or  they  of  him. 

During  my  travel,  I  often  stopped  with  a  widow  woman  by 
the  name  of  Cade.  She  had  two  sons  living  with  her,  one  a 
widower,  the  other  a  bachelor;  all  where  friendly  and  had 
some  little  faith.  This  lady,  whom  I  should  judge  was  about 
seventy  years  of  age,  had  a  wen,  or  growing  tumor,  on  her 
throat  about  the  size  of  a  hen's  egg.  On  one  of  my  calls  she 
requested  me  to  administer  to  her  for  the  removal  of  this 
tumor.  I  complied  with  her  request,  and  in  half  an  hour 
afterwards  the  lump  was  half  gone.  I  left  her  with  the  swel- 
ling still  going  down;  but  my  story  ends  badly,  for  after  I  was 
gone,  Satan  tempted  her  sons  to  believe  that  the  virtue  was  in 
the  olive  oil  with  which  she  was  anointed.  This  view 
weakened  her  faith  and  the  healing  power  departed  from  her. 
Her  sons  went  to  the  store  and  purchased  a  bottle  of  oil,  similar 
to  that  which  I  had  annointed  her  with,  but  to  no  effect.  The 
circumstance  was  related  to  a  physician  of  the  neighborhood, 
who  told  the  family  that  what  had  happened  to  her  was  simply 
the  natural  effect  of  the  oil  in  softening  the  tumor;  that  it 
could  only  be  cured  by  being  taken  out  with  surgical  instru- 
ments; that  he  could  remove  it  without  difficulty  and  prolong 
her  life,  but  it  would  eventually  prove  fatal  unless  removed. 
She  consented  to  have  the  doctor  try  his  skill  on  her,  and  she 
died  under  the  operation.  There  were  not  a  few,  even  among 
outsiders,  who  attributed  her  death  to  tempting  the  Lord. 
That  their  conclusion  was  correct,  I  think  none  of  my  young 
readers  will  doubt.  I  always  felt  sorry  for  her,  as  she  was  a 
kind-hearted,  good  woman,  but  was  deceived  by  the  persuasion 
of  others.  Her  sons  always  regretted  what  they  had  done, 
but  never  joined  the  Church. 

Had  her  faith  continued  in  the  Lord  she  would  doubtless 
have  been  entirely  healed  in  a  very  short  time  and  lived  to 
glorify  God  for  a  number  of  years. 


38 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


Thus  we  see  that  His  "anger  is  kindled  against  those  who 
do  not  acknowledge  His  hand  in  all  things."  I  hope  no  one 
who  reads  this  iittle  book  will  be  guilty  of  tempting  the  Lord 
as  this  woman  did,  or  fail  to  acknowledge  His  hand  in  all  things. 
Even  in  losses,  sickness  or  death  in  our  families  His  hand 
should  be  acknowledged,  and  all  will  be  sanctified  for  our  good 
in  the  end. 

At  the  Spring  conference,  in  1853,  I  was  called  on  amission 
to  Europe,  with  a  number  of  others.  While  crossing  the 
ocean,  when  about  two  hundred  miles  from  Liverpool,  we 
encountered,  what  the  captain  said,  was  the  severest  storm  he 
had  experienced  during  thirty  years  of  sea-faring  life.  There 
were  seven  Elders  on  board  the  English  sail  ship,  Ashburton. 
When  the  storm  became  the  most  severe  only  four  could  be 
got  together.  We  had  taken  second  cabin  passage,  and,  of 
course,  had  a  room  with  bunks  in  which  to  sleep.  To  this 
room  Elders  Charles  R.  Dana,  Israel  Barlow  and  myself 
repaired,  leaving  Brother  Thomas  Colburn  outside  to  watch 
and  tend  the  door  while  we  prayed  and  rebuked  the  raging  wind 
and  boisterous  sea.  We  had  but  just  commenced  to  pray  when 
the  door  of  the  ventilator  of  our  room  flew  open  and  let  a 
large  stream  of  water  upon  us.  Brother  Barlow  sprang  upon 
oue  of  the  upper  bunks  and  closed  the  door  and  held  it  to  its 
place  while  Brother  Dana  and  myself  continued  the  prayer. 
By  this  time  the  ship  had  come  so  near  capsizing  that  a  bottle 
of  ink  being  open  and  standing  over  one  door-post,  which  was 
about  six  feet  high,  emptied  its  contents  upon  the  opposite 
post  about  one  and  a  half  feet  from  the  door  sill,  making  an 
angle,  by  actual  measurement,  of  over  fifty  degrees,  which  was 
just  about  as  far  as  she  could  go  without  capsising.  Just  at 
this  juncture  the  wind  was  rebuked  by  the  servants  of  the 
Lord,  and  so  sudden  was  the  reaction  that  the  ship  creaked 
from  stem  to  stern  and  we  did  not  know  but  what  she  might 
fall  to  pieces.  But  the  main  damage  done  was  to  lose  her 
sails  and  cause  the  yard-arm  to  fall  and  break  the  ship-car- 
penter's leg.  The  cargo  was  shiped  to  one  side  so  that  she 
could  not  run  level  during  the  remainder  of  the  voyage.  We 
had  on  board,  among  other  passengers,  a  Presbyterian  tem- 
perance lecturer,  with  whom  we  had  had  many  arguments  on 


INCIDENTS  OF  EXPERIENCE. 


3'J 


the  use  of  the  spiritual  gifts,  he  taking  the  view  that  they 
were  done  away  because  no  longer  needed.  His  berth  was  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  ship.  Before  the  prayer  was  closed  and 
the  door  opened,  he  stood  trembling  with  excitement  outside^ 
No  sooner  was  the  door  opened  than  he  exclaimed  hastily  and 
in  an  excited  manner,  "Havn't  you  been  praying?  havn't  you 
been  praying?"  On  Elder  Dana  inquiring  why  he  asked  that 
question,  he  nervously  answered,  "I  thought  you  had;  the 
wind  stopped  blowing  so  suddenly." 

During  the  remainder  of  the  journey,  whenever  there  was 
more  than  a  gentle  breeze  of  wind,  this  man  and  his  friends 
were  sure  to  find  their  way  to  our  cabin,  as  though  they 
thought,  if  all  the  balance  of  the  ship  sank,  our  side  would 
float  all  right. 

This  is  one  of  the  many  incidents  that  might  be  cited  to 
show  that  our  enemies  are  not  sincere  in  opposing  our  doc- 
trines. I  firmly  believe  that  many  people  who  hear  the  gospel 
preached  have  an  inward  conviction  of  its  truth;  but  the  love 
of  riches  and  popularity  with  the  fear  of  their  friends  dessert- 
ing  them  and  the  frowns  of  the  world,  in  many  instances,  cause 
their  love  to  grow  cold  and  they  smother  their  convictions  and 
become  our  enemies.  On  this  subject  the  Lord  has  said, 
"Every  ear  shall  hear  and  every  heart  shall  be  penetrated." 
I  think  both  occur  at  the  same  time ;  that  there  may  be  a  time 
in  the  future  when  they  will  feel  it  much  stronger,  when  it  is 
too  late  to  benefit  them,  I  also  admit ;  for  they  will  even  seek 
death  and  not  be  able  to  find  it. 

Among  the  passengers  was  a  young  man,  son  of  an  Irish 
widow,  who  lived  in  Dublin,  Ireland.  Becoming  consumptive, 
he  went  to  New  York  for  his  health.  Growing  worse,  he 
decided  to  return  and  die  in  the  land  of  his  fathers,  and  have 
a  tender  mother's  care  to  soothe  his  last  hours.  But,  alas, 
when  the  land-breeze  struck  him,  the  night  before  we  sighted 
land,  he  expired,  and  was  burried  in  the  sea. 

We  sailed  along  at  the  rate  of  about  ten  miles  per  hour 
until  about  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening  when  the  sky  was 
suddenly  darkened  by  a  thick  fog,  a  contrary  wind  arose  and 
simultaneously  with  it  a  brig  struck  our  ship's  stern,  took  off 
her  helm  or  rudder,  got  tangled  in  her  rigging  and  took  off 


40 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


her  top-mast  and  top-sail  and  damaged  her  generally.  The 
hrig's  rudder  was  also  taken  away  by  our  ship,  and  she  was  so 
damaged  that  her  captain  asked  permission  to  lash  her  to  our 
ship,  but  our  captain  replied  that  his  ship  was  so  badly 
damaged  that  he  dared  not  allow  it.  A  wail  went  up  from  the 
little  craft  that  they  would  all  go  to  the  bottom.  They  were 
soon  out  of  our  sight. 

The  wind  and  fog  continued,  and  Captain  Williams,  of  the 
Ashburton,  lay  drunk  in  his  cabin,  most  of  the  time.  There 
was  but  one  man  on  board  who  understood  the  channel  in 
which  we  were  sailing.  And  he  was  mate  of  another  vessel 
of  the  same  line  (the  "Black  Ball"),  which  sailed  previous  to 
ours.  He  was  on  a  spree  when  his  ship  left  New  York,  and, 
although  an  excellent  officer,  could  not  be  induced  for  love  or 
money  to  go  on  board  until  "he  had  had  it  out."  Being  over 
his  drunken  spree  he  entered  our  ship,  the  control  of  which, 
during  our  last  calamity,  was  intrusted  entirely  to  him.  Our 
only  method  of  guiding  the  ship  was  by  a  rope  tied  to  the  corner 
of  the  main  sail  and  pulling  it  from  one  side  to  the  other.  To  do 
this  required  the  assistance  of  all  the  passengers  and  for  three 
days  and  nights  we  barely  escaped  being  dashed  to  pieces  on 
the  rocks  which  abounded  all  around  us.  Finally  we  succeeded 
in  landing  in  Belfast  harbor. 

Here  we  left  our  ship  waiting  repairs  and  took  steamer  for 
Liverpool,  where  we  arrived  a  few  hours  later. 

The  brig  we  came  in  contact  with  was  wrecked  on  the  coast 
of  the  Isle  of  Man,  but  no  lives  were  lost. 

During  my  stay  in  England,  which  was  less  than  a  year,  there 
were  many  cases  of  healing  and  other  incidents  of  interest 
occurred,  but  such  things  being  usual  with  all  the  Elders  I 
peed  not  rehearse  them. 


INCIDENTS  OP  EXPERIENCE. 


41 


CHAPTER  V. 

I  GO  TO  SWITZERLAND— GOD'S  POWER  MANIFESTED  IN  MY 
BEHALF— A  PROPHECY  FULFILLED— CONDITION  OF  THE 
SWISS  MISSION— WHERE  ELDERS  WERE  EXPELLED  EVIL 
SPIRITS  TAKE  POSSESSION — KARL  G.  MAESER  WRITES  ME 
A  LETTER — I  RETURN  IT,  THINKING  IT  A  RUSE  TO  ENTRAP 
ME— I  RECEIVE  IT  AGAIN — BROTHER  MAESER's  FAITH  AND 
BAPTISM — ELDERS  PARTAKE  OF  POISONED  FOOD — ARE 
RESTORED  TO  HEATH — MY  MISSION  ENDS. 

IN  the  fall  1854,  I  was  sent  to  Switzerland,  to  take  charge  ot 
the  Swiss  and  Italian  missions ;  the  French  and  German 
missions  were  subsequently  added. 

Here  was  fulfilled  a  prediction  spoken  in  tongues  by  a  Sister 
More,  in  the  tenth  Ward,  of  Salt  Lake  City,  the  year  before  I 
was  called  on  my  European  mission.  I  was  at  the  time  going 
pn  crutches,  with  a  broke  n  leg,  and  having  but  little  hope  of 
ever  being  able  to  walk.  The  leg  was  badly  fractured,  and  by 
getting  out  of  place  and  having  to  be  reset  caused  the  bones  to 
be  very  slow  in  knitting  together.  It  was  about  seven  months 
before  I  could  bear  any  weight  upon  my  broken  limb.  While 
in  this  condition,  I  went  on  my  crutches  to  a  little  prayer 
meeting  in  a  private  house,  there  being  no  public  meeting 
house  then  built  in  the  ward. 

In  going  to  the  meeting,  my  worst  fears  of  always  being  a 
cripple  had  loomed  up  before  me  like  a  great  mountain,  and, 
like  Jonah,  I  felt  that  "it  was  better  for  me  to  die  than  to 
live."    This  was  a  weakness  in  me,  of  course,  but  so  it  was. 

After  the  meeting  was  opened,  Sister  More  arose  and  began 
to  speak  in  tongues.  She  addressed  her  remarks  to  me,  and  I 
understood  her  as  well  as  though  she  had  spoken  the  English 
language.  She  said:  "Your  leg  will  be  healed,  and  you 
will  go  on  a  foreign  mission  and  preach  the  gospel  in  foreign 


42 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


lands.  No  harm  shall  hefall  you,  and  you  shall  return  in 
safety,  having  great  joy  in  your  labors." 

This  was  the  substance  of  the  prophecy.  It  was  so  different 
from  my  own  belief  and  the  fears  of  many  others  that  I  was 
tempted  not  to  give  the  interpretation,  lest  it  should  fail  to 
come  to  pass.  The  Spirit,  however,  impressed  me  and  I  arose, 
leaning  npon  my  crutches,  and  gave  the  interpretation. 

Xot  long  afterwards  I  was  told  in  a  dream  what  tu  do  to 
strengthen  my  fractured  limb,  and  it  began  to  receive  strength 
immediately,  and  in  the  short  space  of  about  one  week  I  dis- 
pensed with  my  crutches  and  walked  with  a  cane. 

Although  Switzerland  was  a  republic,  the  people  were  not 
prepared  for  a  free  government.  After  a  few  months,  most  of 
the  American  and  English  Elders  were  banished,  and  the  work 
devolved  mainly  on  the  native  Elders,  and  even  they  were 
sometimes  cast  into  prison. 

On  one  occasion,  a  zealous  youth,  whom  I  had  directed  to  be 
ordained  a  Priest,  took  some  tracts  printed  in  the  German 
lauguage  to  distribute  among  the  people.  He  left  one  with 
an  invalid  woman  who  had  been  several  years  confined  to  the 
house.  She  believed,  and  asked  to  be  admistered  to  that  she 
might  be  healed,  in  order  that  she  could  be  baptized.  ^  I  sent 
an  Elder  to  learn  whether  she  wanted  a  sign  or  whether  she 
was  sincere.  If  found  sincere  and  humble,  he  was  to  admin- 
ister to  her  by  anointing  her  with  oil  and  laying  his  hands 
upon  her.  He  found  that  she  believed  with  all  her  heart.  He 
attended  to  the  ordinance  and  went -a  distance  of  about  four 
miles  to  stay  over  night.  The  next  morning  she  walked  all 
that  way  to  be  baptized. 

Among  the  remarkable  incidents  in  the  Swiss  mission  is  the 
fact  that  after  the  Elders  were  driven  out  for  preaching  the 
doctrine  of  direct  revelation,  strange  noises  were  heard  in 
people's  houses,  especially  in  the  city  of  Zurich,  from  which 
place  all  foreign  Elders  had  been  banished.  The  noises  con- 
sisted of  rapping  upon  cubboards,  tables,  dishes  and  other 
like  things.  The  Saints  were  not  troubled  with  them,  but  they 
became  so  frequent  that  they  created  great  excitement  among 
the  outside  people. 


INCIDENTS  OF  EXPERIENCE. 


43 


Elder  John  Bar  wrote  to  me  to  know  what  it  meant,  and 
asking  if  it  was  of  the  Lord,  and,  if  so,  why  did  it  not  visit 
the  Saints  ? 

I  answered  that  the  people  had  rejected  revelation  from  the 
Lord,  and  banished  the  Elders  who  taught  inspiration.  That 
it  was  known  in  America  as  spirit-rapping,  and  that  it  would 
probably  take  definite  shape  soon.  Soon  after  circles  were 
formed  around  tables,   and  the  rapping  in  other  places 

reused.  £ 

I  believe  this  was  the  first  introduction  of  Spiritualism  into 
the  cantons,  and,  so  far  as  known,  in  Europe,  and  was  similar 
to  the  first  in  the  United  States  made  known  to  "the  Fox 
girls"  ot  New  York.  Thus,  my  young  readers  will  perceive 
that  these  false  spirits  and  other  delusions  follow  the  rejection 
of  the  gospel. 

About  this  time,  I  received  a  letter,  inquiring  about  the  Saints 
and  their  doctrines,  from  Karl  G.  Maeser,  a  professor  of 
theology  in  Dresden,  in  Saxony.  In  consideration  of  the 
excitement  and  desire  on  the  part  of  many  of  the  police 
authorities  to  trap  the  Elders;  Elder  Chislett  and  myself  looked 
upon  it  as  a  snare  to  entrap  us.  I  returned  the  letter  without 
auswer.  No  sooner  had  I  dropped  it  into  the  letter  box»than 
a  strong  feeling  came  over  me  that  the  man  might  be  an  honest 
enquirer  after  truth.  On  telling  this  to  Elder  Chislett,  he  said 
if  such  be  the  case  the  door  would  be  closed. 

I  answered,  "No,  that  letter  will  return." 

He  said,  "No  ;  you  may  get  another,  but  the  same  letter 
will  never  come  back. 

I  repeated,  "If  he  is  an  honest  enquirer  after  truth  that 
letter  will  return,  and  I  will  accept  it  as  an  evidence  of 
sincerity. ' ' 

Elder  Chislett  said,  "If  it  does  return  I  will  set  you  down  as 
a  prophet." 

On  receipt  of  his  returned  letter,  Professor  Maeser  forwarded 
it  to  Elder  J ohn  Van  Cott,  at  Copenhagen.  As  Elder  Van  Cott 
knew  1  was  presiding  over  the  German  mission,  he  mailed  the  let- 
ter to  me,  explaining  that  he  had  directed  the  professor  to  me,  as 
he  was  doing  nothing  in  the  German  language,  and  he  believed 
him  to  be  an  honest  inquirer  after  truth.    I  answered  Pro- 


44  SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 

fessor  Maeserlil|^Eer,  and  he  wanted  to  know  more.  I  sent 
him  German  publications:  he  believed  them  all  and  said 
during  an  approaching  vacation  he  would  come  to  Geneva,  a 
distance  of  about  six  hundred  miles,  and  be  baptized. 

Thinking  this  might  be  an  opening  to  establish  the  gospel 
in  the  heart  of  Germany,  where  it  had  not  been  preached  for 
about  eighteen  hundred  years,  I  wrote  and  told  the  professor 
that  if  there  was  free  tolerataion  of  religion  perhaps  I  might 
send  an  Elder  to  preach  the  gospel  to  others  as  well  as  to 
instruct  hift  further  in  its  principles.  He  wrote,  in  answer, 
that  no  religion,  except  the  Lutheran,  was  allowed  to  be 
taught,  and  that  was  the  national  religion. 

He  thought,  however,  that  as  all  persons  who  took  up  their 
abode  in  the  kingdom  had  to  make  known  their  business,  an 
Elder  might  go  under  the  guise  of  a  teacher  of  the  English 
language.  On  my  informing  him  that  I  apprehended  such  a 
policy  might  draw  a  class  around  him  who  would  be  liable 
to  betray  him  to  prison  and  banishment,  and  as  I  had  an 
Elder  under  my  charge  who  had  some  knowledge  of 
the  German  language,  I  asked  him  whether  it  would 
not  be  better  that  his  object  be  known  to  be  to  complete 
his  education  in  the  same.  Simple  as  this  suggestion  was,  it 
struck  him  with  great  force.  Knowing  that  I  was  unacquainted 
with  their  laws  and  customs  aud  that  he  had  been  taught 
them  from  childhood,  in  fact,  was  a  leading  teacher  among 
his  fellows,  he  referred  to  this  fact  and  said  he  could  see  the 
wisdom  of  the  Lord  in  it,  and  it  was  another  evidence  to  him 
that  the  Latter-day  Saints  were  His  people,  and  he  would 
be  exceedingly  glad  if  I  could  send  an  Elder  to  baptize 
him. 

An  important  duty  now  devolved  upon  me  which  was  to 
inform  the  learned  professor  that  our  Elders,  like  the  ancient 
disciples,  traveled  aud  preached  the  gospel  "without  purse  or 
scrip,"  and,  if  an  Elder  was  sent,  he  would  have  to  sustain 
him  free  of  charge.  Most  men  of  his  type  would  have  spurned 
such  a  proposition.  Not  so  with  this  humble  servant  of  the 
Lord.  In  his  reply  he  said :  "If  you  send  an  Elder,  my  house 
shall  be  his  house,  my  table  shall  be  his  table,  all  I  have  shall 
be  his  as  well  as  mine." 


INCIDENTS  OF  EXPERIENCE. 


45 


Apostle  Franklin  D.  Richards,  president  of  the  European 
mission,  who  had  recently  arrived  iu  Geneva  from  Liverpool, 
on  hearing  this  letter  read,  immediately  decided  to  send  Elder 
William  Budge,  who  was  then  in  England,  having  been 
banished  from  Zurich,  a  prominent  Swiss  canton. 

On  Elder  Budge's  arrival,  he  was  reported  as  a  gentleman 
from  England,  having  come  to  complete  his  education  in  the 
German  language,  which  was,  of  course,  one  part  of  his 
mission.  He  was  instructed  to  confine  his  labors  principally 
to  the  professor  and  his  family,  and  to  baptize  none  until  he 
had  further  instructions. 

President  Richards  now  decided  to  visit  Italy,  where  there 
were  a  few  Saints  in  the  Waldensiau  valleys  under  the  presi- 
dency of  Elder  Samuel  Francis.  These  Saints  were  very  poor, 
and  the  most  of  them  lived  very  hard.  Some  of  them  having 
to  subsist  five  months  in  the  year  on  roasted  chestnuts,  and* 
perhaps,  a  little  sheep's  or  goat's  milk,  without  any  other 
food,  having  to  winter  in  stables  in  order  to  receive  warmth 
from  the  animals  in  the  absence  of  fuel.  Brother  Richards 
was  accompanied  by  Elders  Wm.  H.  Kimball,  JohnL.  Smith, 
John  Chislett,  and  myself. 

About  the  time  of  our  arrival  one  of  the  native  brethren 
had  by  mistake  eaten  poison  mushrooms,  taking  them  for  the 
variety  often  used  as  food  in  that  country.  He  reeled  as  he 
walked  to  a  chair,  or  stool,  to  receive  the  ordinance  of  laying 
on  of  hands.  President  Richards  rebuked  the  poison,  and  he 
recovered.  Shortly  afterwards  an  outsider  collected  some  of 
the  same  variety,  which  were  -cooked,  and  the  man  with  his 
wife  and  children,  died  through  eating  them. 

Shortly  after  our  return  from  Italy,  President  Richards  and 
Elder  Kimball  reparied  to  Dresden,  the  capital  of  Saxony, 
where  they  were  heartily  greeted  by  Elder  Budge  and  Professor 
Karl  G.  Maeser.  They  remained  a  few  days,  during  which 
time  President  Richards  baptized  the  professor  and  eight 
others,  and  organized  a  branch  of  the  Church,  with  Brother 
Maeser  as  presiding  Elder.  When  the  authorities  learned  to 
their  satisfaction  that  he  had  joined  the  Church  of  the  Saints 
they  not  only  dropped  him  from  his  position,  but  banished 
him  from  the  kingdom.  Of  his  standing  and  usefulness  among 


40 


SCRAPS  OP  BIOGRAPHY. 


the  Saints  but  little  need  be  said.  His  charge  of  the  Brigham 
Young  Academy  at  Provo,  and  the  blessings  accruing  to  the 
youth  of  Zion,  are  too  well  known  and  appreciated  to  require 
any  eulogy  from  me.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  I  had  felt  that  I 
was  doing  but  little  good  beyond  filling  a  plain  duty  in  respon- 
ding to  the  call  to  go  on  a  mission  from  England  to  Switzer- 
land. 

I  refer  to  this  incident  to  encourage  the  young  Elders  who 
read  this  little  book  to  not  feel  discouraged  because  they  do 
not  baptize  as  many  as  some  others.  1  hope  they  will  not  feel 
that  they  are  not  being  useful  on  that  account.  I  baptized 
none  personally  while  on  that  mission  of  about  three  and  a 
half  years,  and  yet,  although  I  suffered  much  affliction  and 
persecution,  I  look  back  upon  it  as  one  of  the  happiest  times 
of  my  life. 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL 


CHAPTER  I. 


MY  BIRTH  AND  PARENTAGE — MY  FATHER'S  BUSINESS — HE 
EMPLOYS  JOSEPH  SMITH,  JUN. — CHARACTER  OP  THIS 
YOUTH — I  START  IN  BUSINESS  FOR  MYSELF — MY  HEALTH 
COMPELS  ME  TO  CHANGE  OCCUPATION — JOSEPH  SMITH, 
JUN. ,  A  CONSTANT  VISITOR  AT  MY  HOUSE— HE  RELATES 
HIS  EXPERIENCE— HIS  STATEMENTS  LEAVE  NO  ROOM  FOR 
DOUBT  IN  ME— HE  IS  BITTERLY  PERSECUTED. 

I WAS  born  September  13th,  1800,  in  Marlborough,  Wind- 
ham county,  Vermont.    My  father's  name  was  Joseph  and 
my  mother's  maiden  name  was  Polly  Peck. 

My  father  moved  into  the  state  of  New  York,  when  I  was 
nine  years  of  age,  and  settled  on  the  Susquehanna  river,  near 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


47 


the  bend  in  Chenango  county,  town  of  Bainbridge,  and  stayed 
there  two  years.  He  then  moved  down  the  river  six  miles  into 
Broome  county,  town  of  Colesville,  and  there  remained  nineteen 
years. 

My  father  owned  a  farm,  a  grist-mill  and  carding  machine. 
He  was  not  rich,  yet  he  possessed  enough  of  this  world's  goods 
to  secure  to  himself  and  family,  not  only  the  necessaries,  but 
also  the  comforts  of  life. 

His  family,  consisting  of  my  mother,  three  sons  and  four 
daughters,  he  raised  in  a  genteel  and  respectable  manner,  and 
gave  his  children  a  good  common  school  education. 

My  father  was  a  sober,  honest  man,  generally  respected  and 
beloved  by  his  neighbors  and  acquaintances.  He  did  not 
belong  to  any  religious  sect,  but  was  a  believer  in  the  Univer- 
salian  doctrine. 

The  business  in  which  my  father  was  engaged  often  required 
him  to  have  hired  help,  and  among  the  many  he  from  time  to 
time  employed  was  a  young  man  by  the  name  of  Joseph 
Smith,  Jun.,  to  whom  I  was  particularly  attached.  His  noble 
deportment,  his  faithfulness  and  his  kind  address,  could  not 
fail  to  win  the  esteem  of  those  who  had  the  pleasure  of  his 
acquaintance.  One  thing  I  will  mention,  which  seemed  to  be 
a  peculiar  characteristic  with  him  in  all  his  boyish  sports  and 
amusements;  I  never  knew  any  one  to  gain  advantage  over 
him,  and  yet  he  was  always  kind  and  kept  the  good-will  of  his 
playmates. 

I  continued  to  live  with  my  father  until  I  was  twenty-five 
years  old,  or  nearly  so;  and  on  June  7th,  1825,  I  married  a 
respectable  young  lady,  by  the  name  of  Sally  Coburn.  Her 
health  was  rather  delicate.  She  had  long  held  an  honorable 
position  in  the  choir  of  one  of  the  most  respectable  churches 
in  the  vicinity ;  her  father  was  a  musician,  and  spent  much  of 
his  time  from  home,  which  threw  a  heavy  burden  upon  her 
mother  in  raising  the  family;  this,  however,  she  bore  with 
much  patience. 

On  leaving  my  father  I  went  a  few  miles  distant  and  put  in 
operation  a  carding  machine,  but  I  soon  sold  it,  and  afterwards 
became  engaged  in  running  a  grist-mill.  During  this  time  my 
wife  gave  birth  to  a  child,  which  did  not  live  and  her  sufferings 


48 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


were  very  great.  I  found  my  health  was  gradually  declining, 
and  was  advsied  to  leave  the  mill,  as  it  did  not  agree  with  my 
constitution  to  work  in  it.  I  had  no  taste  for  farming,  so  I 
continued  in  the  mill  business  until  the  physician  told  me  I  had 
the  consumption,  and  he  thought  my  case  doubtful.  I  applied 
to  a  skillful  Indian  doctor,  from  whom  I  obtained  some  relief, 
but  was  obliged  to  change  my  business,  and  I  moved  back  to 
Colesville,  near  to  where  my  father  lived. 

In  settling  up  my  business  affairs  I  suffered  a  heavy  loss,  and 
this,  with  the  expenses  incurred  by  my  sickness,  considerably 
reduced  my  pecuniary  affairs.  But  I  was  not  discouraged,  for 
all  my  labor  prospered  in  my  hands,  and  I  again  entered  into 
business. 

My  oldest  brother,  Nahum,  was  married,  and  lived  close  at 
hand ;  also  my  sisters  Esther  and  Anna,  with  their  husbands 
William  Stringham,  and  Freeborn  Demill,  so  that  I  was  happy, 
not  only  in  the  society  of  my  father's  immediate  family,  but 
also  of  maDy  relatives  who  lived  in  the  same  vicinity.  Peace, 
prosperity  and  plenty,  seemed  to  crown  our  labors,  and  indeed 
we  were  a*  happy  family,  and  my  father  rejoiced  in  having  us 
around  hi  in. 

During  this  time  we  were  frequently  visited  by  my  young 
friend,  Joseph  Smith,  who  would  entertain  us  with  accounts 
of  the  wonderful  things  which  had  happened  to  him.  It  was 
evident  to  me  that  great  things  were  about  to  be  accomplished 
through  him— that  the  Lord  was  about  to  use  him  as  an  instru- 
ment in  His  hands  to  bring  to  pass  the  great  and  mighty  work  of 
the  last  days.  This  chosen  instrument  told  us  of  God's  manifest- 
ations to  him,  of  the  discovery  and  receiving  of  the  plates  from 
which  the  Book  of  Mormon  was  translated,  of  his  persecutions 
for  the  gospel's  sake,  and  many  other  items  of  his  eventful 
life. 

So  honest  and  plain  were  all  his  statements  that  there  was  no 
room  for  any  misgivings  with  me  on  the  subject.  Besides,  I 
found  by  reading  and  searching  the  Bible,  that  there  would  be 
a  great  falling  away  from  the  gospel  as  preached  and  estab- 
lished by  Jesus  and  His  apostles,  that  in  the  last  days  God 
would  set;  His  hand  again  to  restore  that  which  was  lost.  Then 
why  should  any  one  persecute  this  boy?   I  could  not.    Yet,  to 


NEWEL  KWGHt's  JOURNAL.  49 

my  certain  knowledge,  many  did ;  and  those  wLo  professed  to 
be  preacher's  of  the  gospel,  were  often  his  vilest  persecutors; 
and  notwithstanding  they  all  professed  to  doubt  the  reality  of 
his  having  the  plates  of  which  he  had  spoken,  yet  so  eager 
were  they  to  get  them  from  him,  that  it  was  only  by  the  Lord, 
or  a  kind  angel,  warning  him  from  time  to  time  of  the  pursuit 
of  his  enemies,  that  he  was  enabled  to  preserve  the  sacred 
records.  In  fact,  it  seemed  very  much  like  it  was  with  Joseph 
and  Mary,  the  mother  of  Jesus,  being  warned  of  God  to  flee 
from  place  to  place,  to  save  the  young  child ;  so  has  Joseph 
Smith  been  warned  many  times,  and  then  barely  escaped  his 
pursuers.    Of  this  I  can  bear  a  faithful  testimony. 


-»«-»  


CHAPTER  II. 
JOSEPH   smith's  perseverance— organization  of  the 

<  IIURCH — JOSEPH  SMITH  VISITS  ME — HIS  OWN  ACCOUNTS 
OF  HIS  VISIT — HE  ASKS  ME  TO  PRAT— I  REFUSE — I  GO  TO 
THE  WOODS  AND  TRY  TO  OFFER  UP  PRAYER— AM  ATTACKED 
BY  A  DEVIL — CURIOUS  ACTIONS  WHILE  THUS  AFFLICTED 
— THE  PROPHET  CASTS  THE  DEVIL  OUT— THE  SPIRIT  OF 
GOD  SHOWS  ME  GLORIOUS  THINGS— THIS  MIRACLE  WIT- 
NESSED BY  MANY  PERSONS. 

JOSEPH  persevered,  and  the  Lord  raised  up  friends  who 
aided  him  in  the  great  work  of  translating  and  printing  the 
record  which  the  unsealed  part  of  the  sacred  plates  contained. 
The  title  given  to  the  book  being  the  book  OF  mormon. 

On  the  sixth  day  of  April,  1830,  by  revelation  and  command- 
ment from  God,  a  Church  was  organized,  called,  "The  Church 
of  Jesus  Christ, "  which  consisted  of  only  six  members,  viz., 
Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  Oliver  Cowdery,  Hyrum  Smith,  Peter 
Whitmer,  Jun.,  Samuel  H.  Smith,  and  David  Whitmer. 

On  Sunday,  April  11th,  1880,  the  first  public  discourse, 
preached  by  a  Latter  day  Saint,  was  delivered  by  Oliver  Cow- 
dery, at  the  house  of  Peter  Whitmer,  Sen.    During  the  same 
a* 


50 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


month  the  prophet  honored  me  with  a  visit,  during  which  time 
I  received  a  great  manifestation,  one  long  to  be  remembered, 
and  in  order  that  my  children  may  know  how  the  Lord  has 
dealt  with  me  I  will  make  this  extract  from  Joseph  Smith's 
history. 

"During  this  month  of  April  I  went  on  a  visit  to  Mr.  Joseph 
Knight,  of  Colesville,  Broome  Co.,  N.  Y.,  with  whom  and  his 
family  I  had  been  previously  acquainted,  and  of  whose  name  I 
have  made  mention  as  having  been  so  kind  and  thought- 
ful towards  us,  while  translating  the  Book  of  Mormon.  Mr. 
Knight  and  his  family  were  Universalists,  but  were  willing 
to  reason  with  me  upon  my  religious  views,  and  were  as  usual 
friendly  and  hospitable.  We  held  several  meetings  in  the 
neighborhood,  we  had  many  friends,  and  some  enemies.  Our 
meetings  were  well  attended,  and  many  began  to  pray  vocally 
to  Almighty  God,  that  He  would  give  them  wisdom  to  under- 
stand the  truth.  Among  those  who  attended  our  meetings 
regularly,  was  Newel  Knight,  son  of  Joseph  Knight.  He  and 
I  had  many  serious  conversations  on  the  important  subject  of  | 
man's  eternal  salvation  ;  we  had  got  into  the  habit  of  praying 
much  at  our  meetings  and  Newel  had  said  he  would  try  and 
take  up  his  cross,  and  pray  vocally  during  meeting;  but 
when  we  again  met  together  lje  rather  excused  himself.  I  tried 
to  prevail  upon  him,  making  use  of  the  figure,  supposing  that 
he  should  get  into  a  mudhole,  would  he  not  try  to  help  himself 
out?  and  that  we  were  willing  now  to  help  him  out  of  the  mud- 
hole,  he  replied  that  provided  he  had  got  into  a  mudhole 
through  carelessness,  he  would  rather  wait  and  get  out  himself 
than  have  others  help  him,  and  so  he  would  wait  until  he 
should  get  into  the  woods  by  himself,  and  there  he  would  pray. 
Accordingly  he  deferred  praying  untill  the  next  morning,  when 
he  retired  into  the  woods ;  where  (according  to  his  own  account 
afterwards)  he  made  several  attempts  to  pray,  but  could 
scarcely  do  so,  feeling  that  he  had  not  done  his  duty,  but  that 
he  should  have  prayed  in  the  presence  of  others.  He  began  to 
feel  uneasy,  and  continued  to  feel  worse  both  in  mind  and  body, 
until  upon  reaching  his  own  house,  his  appearance  was  such  as 
to  alarm  his  wife  very  much.  He  requested  her  to  go  and 
bring  me  to  him.    I  went,  and  found  him  suffering  very  much 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


51 


in  his  mind,  and  his  body  acted  upon  in  a  very  strange  manner. 
His  visage  and  limbs  were  distorted  and  twisted  in  every  shape 
and  appearance  possible  to  imagine ;  and  finally  he  was  caught 
up  oft"  the  floor  of  the  apartment  and  tossed  about  most  fear- 
fully. His  situation  was  soon  made  known  to  his  neighbors  and 
relatives,  and  in  a  short  time  as  many  as  eight  or  nine  grown 
persons  had  got  together  to  witness  the  scene.  After  he  had 
thus  suffered  for  a  time,  I  succeeded  in  getting  hold  of  him  by 
the  hand,  when  almost  immediately  he  spoke  to  me,  and  with 
great  earnestness  requested  of  me,  that  I  should  cast  the  devil 
out  of  him,  saying  that  he  knew  he  was  in  him,  and  that  he 
also  knew  that  I  could  cast  him  out.  I  replied,  if  you  know 
that  I  can.  it  shall  be  done,  and  then  almost  unconsciously  I 
rebuked  the  devil ;  and  commanded  him  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ  to  depart  from  him ;  when  immediately  Newel  spoke 
out  and  said  that  he  could  see  the  devil  leave  him  and  vanish 
from  his  sight.  This  was  the  first  miracle  which  has  been  done 
in  this  Church,  or  by  any  member  of  it,  and  it  was  done  by 
God,  and  by  the  power  of  godliness;  therefore  let  the  honor 
and  the  praise,  the  dominion  and  the  glory,  be  ascribed  to  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,  forever  and  ever,  Amen. 

'"The  scene  was  now  entirely  changed,  for  as  soon  as  the 
devil  had  departed  from  our  friend,  his  countenance  became 
natural,  his  distortion  of  body  ceased,  and  almost  immediately 
the  Spirit  ot  God  descended  upon  him,  and  the  visions  of 
eternity  were  opened  to  his  view.  He  afterwards  related  his 
experience  as  follows :  'I  now  began  to  feel  a  most  pleasing 
sensation  resting  upon  me,  and  immediately  the  visions  of 
heaven  were  opened  to  my  view.  I  felt  myself  attracted  upwards, 
and  remained  for  sometime  enwrapt  in  contemplation,  insomuch 
that  I  knew  not  what  was  going  on, in  the  room.  By  and  by  I 
felt  some  weight  pressing  upon  my  shoulder  and  the  side  of 
my  head  ;  which  served  to  recall  me  to  a  sense  of  my  situation, 
and  I  found  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  had  actually  caught 
me  up  off  the  floor,  and  that  my  shoulder  and  head  were  pres- 
ing  against  the  beams. ' 

"All  this  was  witnessed  by  many,  to  their  great  astonishment 
and  satisfaction,  when  they  saw  the  devil  thus  cast  out,  and 
the  power  of  G-od  and  His  Holy  Spirit  thus  made  manifest. 


52 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


As  soon  as  consciousness  returned,  his  bodily  weakness  was 
such  that  we  were  obliged  to  lay  him  upon  his  bed  and  wait 
upon  him  for  some  time.  As  may  be  expected,  such  a  scene  as 
this  contributed  much  to  make  believers  of  those  who  witnessed 
it,  and,  finally,  the  greater  part  of  them,  became  members  of 
the  Church.  " 


I  AM  BAPTIZED— FIRST  CONFERENCE  OF  THE  CHURCH — 
REMARKABLE  VISIONS — THE  PROPHET  VISITS  THE  COLES- 
VILLE  BRANCH — HOLDS  MEETING — PERSECUTIONS  BEGIN 
— A  PRESBYTERIAN  PREACHER  TRIES  TO  MISLEAD  MY 
SISTER-IN-LAW,  BUT  FAILS — BAPTISMS— MOB  GATHERS — 
JOSEPH  ARRESTED  BY  CONSTABLE— WICKED  MEN  LIE  IN 
AMBUSH  FOR  HIM— HE  IS  DELIVERED  FROM  THE  MOB 
BY  THE  CONSTABLE — HIS  UNJUST  TRIAD— HE  IS  ACQUIT- 


jURING  the  last  week  in  May  I  went  on  a  visit  to  Fayette 


U    and  was  baptized  by  David  Whitmer. 

On  the  first  day  of  June,  1830,  the  first  conference  was  held 
by  the  Church.  Our  number  consisted  of  about  thirty,  besides 
many  others  who  came  to  learn  of  our  principles,  or  were 
already  believers,  but  had  not  been  baptized.  Having  opened 
the  meeting  by  singing  and  prayer,  we  partook  of  the  emblems 
of  the  body  and  blood  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  A  number 
were  confirmed  who  had  lately  been  baptized,  and  several 
were  called  and  ordained  to  various  offices'  in  the  Priest- 
hood. Much  good  instruction  was  given,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
was  poured  out  upon  us  in  a  marvelous  manner.  Many 
prophesied,  while  others  had  the  heavens  opened  to  their  view. 
It  was  a  scene  long  to  be  remembered.  I  felt  my  heart  filled 
with  love,  with  glory,  and  with  pleasure  unspeakable.  I  could 
discern  all  that  was  going  on  in  the  room  and  a  vision  of  futur- 
ity also  suddenly  burst  upon  me,  and  I  saw,  represented,  the 


CHAPTER  III. 


TED. 


NEWEL  KNTQHT'S  JOURNAL. 


53 


great  work,  which,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Joseph 
Smith,  was  to  be  accomplished.  I  saw  the  heavens  opened,  I 
beheld  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  seated  at  the  right  hand  of  the 
Majesty  on  High,  and  it  was  made  plain  to  my  understanding 
that  the  time  would  come  when  I  should  be  admitted  into  His 
presence,  to  enjoy  His  society  for  ever  and  ever. 

Such  scenes  as  these  were  calculated  to  inspire  the  hearts  of 
the  Saints  with  joy  unspeakable,  and  fill  us  with  awe  and  rever- 
ence for  that  Almighty  Being,  by  whose  grace  we  had  been 
called  and  made  the  happy  partakers  of  such  glorious  blessings 
as  were  poured  out  upon  us — to  find  ourselves  engaged  in  the 
very  same  order  of  things  as  were  observed  and  practiced  by 
the  holy  apostles  of  old.  To  realize  the  importance  and  solem- 
nity of  the  great  work  which  had  fallen  upon  our  young  friend 
Joseph,  and  to  witness  and  feel  with  our  natural  senses  the 
like  glorious  manifestations  of  the  power  of  the  Priesthood, 
the  gifts  and  blessings  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  the  goodness 
and  condescension  of  a  merciful  God  unto  such  as  obey  the 
everlasting  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  combined  to  create 
within  us  sensations  of  rapturous  gratitude  and  inspire  us  with 
fresh  zeal  and  energy  in  the  cause  of  truth,  and  also  to  confirm 
our  faith  in  Joseph  Smith  being  the  instrument  in  the  hands 
of  God  to  restore  the  Priesthood  again  to  man  on  earth  and 
to  set  up  the  kingdom  of  God,  which  shall  never  more  be  over- 
come. 

Soon  after  conference  Joseph  Smith  the  Prophet,  accom- 
panied by  his  wife,  Oliver  Cowdery,  John  Whitmer  and  David 
Whitmer,  came  to  Colesville  to  make  us  a  visit.  There  were 
many  in  our  neighborhood  who  believed,  and  were  anxiously 
waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  be  baptized.  Meeting  was 
appointed  for  the  Sabbath,  and  on  Saturday  afternoon  we 
erected  a  dam  across  a  stream  which  was  close  by,  with  the 
intention  of  baptizing  those  who  applied  on  Sunday,  but  dur- 
ing the  night  a  mob  collected  and  tore  away  the  dam.  This 
prevented  us  from  attending  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism  that 
day.  It  was  afterwards  ascertained  that  the  mob  had  been 
instigated  to  this  act  of  molestation,  by  certain  sectarian  priests 
of  the  neighborhood,  who  began  to  think  their  craft  was  in 
danger,  and  took  this  plan  to  stop  the  progress  of  truth.  The 


54  SCRAPS  OP  BIOGRAPHY. 

sequel  will  show  how  determinedly  they  prosecuted,  their 

opposition,  as  well  as  to  what  little  purpose  in  the  end. 

The  Sabbath  arrived,  we  held  our  meeting.  Oliver  Cowdrey 
preached,  others  bore  testimony  to  the  Book  of  Mormon,  the 
doctrine  of  repentance,  baptism  for  the  remission  of  sins  and 
the  laving  on  of  hands  for  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
etc.  In  the  audience  were  those  who  had  torn  down  the  dam. 
Thev  seemed  desirous  of  giving  us  trouble,  but  did  not  until 
after  the  meetiug  was  dismissed,  when  they  immediately  com- 
menced talking  to  those  whom  they  considered  our  friends,  to 
try  to  turn  them  against  us  and  our  doctrine. 

Among  those  present  I  will  mention  the  case  of  one  young 
lady-Miss  Emily  Coburn,  my  wife's  sister.     The  Rev.  Mr 
Shearer,  a  divine  of  the  Presbyterian  faith,  who  had  considered 
himself  her  pastor,  understanding  that   she  was  likely  to 
believe  our  doctrine,  came  to  labor  with  her  a  short  tune  pre- 
vious to  our  meeting.    He  spent  some  time  without  being  able 
to  persuade  her  against  us,  and  then  endeavored  to  have  her 
leave  her  sister's  house,  and  go  with  him  to  her  father  s,  who 
lived  ten  miles  distant  :  for  this  purpose  he  had  recourse  to 
stratagem,  he  told  her  that  her  brothers  were  waiting  lor  her 
at  a  certain  place  and  wished  her  to  go  home  with  them  He 
succeeded  thus  in  getting  her  a  little  way  from  the  house, 
when,  seeing  that  her  brothers  were  not  waiting  for  her,  she 
refused  to  go  farther  with  him.    He  thereupon  took  her  by  the 
arm  and  tried  to  force  her  along;  my  wife,  her  sister  was  soon 
with  them,  and  the  two  women  being  one  too  many  for  him  he 
was  obliged  to  sneak  off  without  accomplishing  his  errand, 
after  all  his  labor  and  ingenuity.     Nothing  daunted,  however, 
he  went  to  her  father,  and  represented  something  to  him 
which  induced  the  old  gentleman  to  give  him  a  power  ol 
attorney      Thus  armed  he  returned,  and  as  soon  as  our  meet- 
ing was  out  on  the  Sunday  evening,  he  served  process  upon 
her,  and  immediately  carried  her  off  to  her  father  s  residence. 
All  his  labor  was  in  vain,  however,  for  the  said  Emily  Loburn 
in  a  short  time  afterwards  was  baptized  and  confirmed  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Church. 

Early  on  Monday  morning  we  were  on  the  alert,  and  before 
our  enemies  were  aware  of  it,  Oliver  Cowdery  proceeded  to 


NEWEL  KNIGHS'S  JOURNAL.  55 

baptize  Emma  Smith-,  Hezekiah  Peck  and  wife,  Joseph  Knight 
and  wife,  William  Stringham,  Joseph  Knight  Jun.,  Aaron 
Culver  and  wife,  Levi  Hall,  Polly  Knight  and  Julia  String- 
ham.  But  before  the  baptism  was  entirely  finished,  the  mob 
began  to  collect  again.  We  retired  to  my  father's  house,  and 
the  mob,  which  numbered  about  fifty  surrounded  the  house, 
raging  with  anger,  and  apparently  wishing  to  commit  violence 
against  us.  So  violent  and  troublesome  were  they,  that  the 
brethren  were  obliged  to  leave  my  father's  house  and  they  suc- 
ceeded in  reaching  mine.  The  mob  who  soon  found  where 
they  had  gone,  followed  them  and  it  was  only  by  great  pru- 
dence on  our  part  and  help  from  our  Heavenly  Father  that 
they  were  kept  from  laying  violent  hands  upon  us. 

A  meeting  had-been  appointed  for  the  evening  to  confirm 
those  who  had  been  baptized  in  the  morning.  The  time 
appoined  had  arrived,  and  our  friends  had  nearly  all  collected 
together,  when,  to  our  great  surprise  and  sorrow,  the  constable 
came  and  arrested  Brother  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  on  a  warrant 
charging  him  with  being  a  disorderly  person,  and  of  setting 
the  country  in  an  uproar,  by  preaching  the  Book  of  Mormon. 
The  constable  soon  after  he  had  arrested  Joseph,  told  him  that 
the  plan  of  those  who  had  got  out  the  warrant  for  his  arrest, 
was  to  get  him  into  the  hands  of  the  mob  who  were  now  lying 
in  ambush  for  him,  and  that  he,  the  constable,  was  determined 
to  save  Joseph  from  them,  as  he  found  him  to  be  a  different 
person  to  what  he  had  been  represented.  This  proved  true, 
for  they  had  not  proceeded  far  from  the  house,  when  the 
wagon  in  which  Joseph  and  the  constable  were  riding,  was 
surrounded  by  the  mob,  who  seemed  only  to  await  some  signal 
from  the  constable,  but  to  their  great  discomfiture,  he  gave 
the  horses  the  whip  and  was  soon  out  of  their  reach.  As  the 
constable  was  driving  briskly  along,  one  of  the  wagon  wheels 
came  off,  which  accident  left  them  almost  in  the  hands  of  the 
mob,  who  had  pursued  them  closely.  But  the  constable 
was  an  expert  man  and  managed  to  get  the  wheel  on  again, 
before  the  mob  overtook  him,  and  soon  left  them  in  the  rear 
once  more. 

He  drove  on  to  the  town  of  South  Bainbridge,  Chenango 
county,  where  he  lodged  Joseph  in  an  upper  room  of  a  tavern ; 


56 


SCRAPS  OF  BTOGRAPHY. 


and  in  order  that  all  might  be  safe  for  himself  and  Joseph,  he 
slept,  or  laid  during  the  night  with  his  feet  against  the  door, 
and  kept  a  loaded  gun  by  him,  (Joseph  occupied  a  bed  in  the 
same  room)  and  declared  that  if  they  were  unlawfully  molested 
he  would  fight  for  Joseph,  and  defend  him  to  the  utmost  of  his 
ability. 

On  the  following  day  a  court  was  convened  for  the  purpose 
of  investigating  the  charges  which  had  been  made  against 
Joseph  Smith,  Jun.  On  account  of  the  many  scandalous 
reports  which  had  been  put  in  circulation,  a  great  excitement 
prevailed. 

My  father,  Joseph  Knight,  Sen.,  did  not  let  pass  this  oppor- 
tunity of  doing  all  in  his  power  to  assist  this  persecuted  boy. 
He  went  to  two  of  his  neighbors,  James  Davidson  and  John 
Reid,Esqs.,  respectable  farmers  who  were  well  versed  in  the 
laws  of  their  country,  and  retained  them  in  behalf  of  Joseph 
during  his  trial. 

The  trial  commenced  among  a  crowded  multitude  of  spec- 
tators, who  generally  seemed  to  believe  Joseph  guilty  of  all 
that  had  been  alleged  against  him,  and,  of  course  were  zeal- 
ous to  see  him  punished  for  his  crimes. 

Among  the  many  witnesses  called  up  against  Joseph,  was  one 
Josiah  Stoal,  a  gentleman  for  whom  Joseph  formerly  worked. 
He  was  examined  as  follows: 

Question — "Did  not  the  prisoner,  Joseph  Smith  have  a  horse 
from  you?" 

Answer — "Yes." 

Q. — "Did  he  not  go  to  you  and  tell  you  an  angel  had 
appeared  unto  him,  and  told  him  to  get  the  horse  from 

you?" 

A. — "No;  he  told  me  no  such  thing." 
Q. — "Well,  how  did  he  get  the  horse  from  you?" 
A. — "He  bought  it  from  me  the  same  as  any  other  man 
would  do." 

Q. — "Have you  had  your  pay?" 
A. — "That  is  not  your  business." 

The  question  being  repeated,  the  witness  replied,  "I  hold 
his  note  for  the  price  of  the  horse,  which  I  consider  as  good  as 
the  money,  for  I  am  well  acquainted  with  Joseph  Smith,  Jun., 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


57 


and  know  him  to  be  honest,  and,  if  he  wishes,  I  am  ready  to 
let  him  have  another  horse  on  the  same  terms." 

Mr.  Jonathan  Thompson  was  next  called  and  examined. 

Question— "Has  not  the  prisoner,  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  had  a 
yoke  of  oxen  of  you?" 

Answer— 'Yes." 

Q.— "Did  he  not  obtain  them  from  you  by  telling  you  that 
he  had  had  a  revelation  to  the  effect  that  he  was  to  have 
them?" 

A. — "No;  he  did  not  mention  a  word  of  the  kind  concerning 
the  oxen ;  he  purchased  them  the  same  as  any  other  man 
would." 

After  several  more  similar  attempts  the  court  was  detained 
for  a  time  in  order  that  two  young  ladies,  daughters  of  Josiah 
Stoal,  witli  whom  Joseph  had  at  times  kept  company,  might 
be  sent  for,  in  order  if  possible,  to  elicit  something  from  them 
which  could  be  made  a  pretext  against  Joseph. 

The  young  ladies  came,  and  were  each  examined  as  to  his 
character  and  conduct  in  general,  but  in  particular  as  to  his 
behavior  towards  them  in  public  and  private;  they  both  bore 
such  testimony  in  Joseph's  favor,  as  to  leave  his  enemies  with- 
out a  cause  for  complaint.  Several  attempts  were  made  to 
prove  something  against  Joseph,  and  even  circumstances  which 
were  alleged  to  have  taken  place  in  Broome  county  were  brought 
forward.  But  these  Joseph's  lawyers  would  not  admit  against 
him,  in  consequence  of  which  his  persecutors  managed  to 
detain  the  court  uniil  they  had  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  war- 
rant from  Broome  county.  This  warrant  they  served  upon  him 
at  the  very  moment  he  had  been  acquitted  by  the  court. 


2 


58 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Joseph's  second  arrest— cruelty  of  his  guard — his 
trial— i,  with  others,  am  called  as  a  witness — 
chagrin  of  prosecuting  attorney — eloquence  of 
joseph's  lawyers — the  constable  begs  joseph's  for- 
giveness for  his  cruel  conduct — he  delivers  the 
prophet  from  the  hands  of  the  mob — the  acquital 
— at  my  house  our  leaders  are  again  persecuted  — 
their  escape — names  of  our  leading  opponents. 

THE  constable  who  served  this  second  warrant  upon  Joseph 
had  no  sooner  arrested  him,  than  he  began  to  abuse  him ; 
and  so  heartless  was  he,  that,  although  Joseph  had  been  kept 
all  day  in  court  without  anything  to  eat  since  the  morning,  he 
hurried  him  off  to  Broome  county,  a  distance  or  about  fifteen 
miles,  before  allowing  him  to  eat.  The  constable  took  him  to  a 
tavern,  where  were  gathered  a  number  of  men,  who  used  every 
means  to  abuse,  ridicule,  and  insult  him.  They  spit  upon  him, 
pointed  their  fingers  at  him,  saying,  ''Prophesy!  prophesy!" 
and  used  their  utmost  ability  to  pain  and  torment  his  mind  ; 
and  thus  did  they  imitate  those  who  crucified  the  Savior  of 
mankind,  not  knowing  what  they  did.  The  tavern  was  but  a 
short  distance  from  Joseph's  own  house ;  he  wished  to  spend 
the  night  with  his  wife,  offering  to  give  any  bail  desired,  for 
his  appearance;  but  this  was  denied  him.  He  applied  for 
something  to  eat.  The  constable  ordered  him  some  crusts  of 
bread  and  some  water,  which  was  the  only  fare  he  received  that 
night.  At  length  he  retired  to  bed ;  the  constable  made  him 
lie  next  to  the  wall,  he  then  laid  himself  down,  threw  his  arms 
around  Joseph,  as  if  fearing  that  he  intended  to  escape;  and 
in  this  not  very  agreeable  manner  was  Joseph  compelled  to 
spend  the  night,  Next  day  he  was  brought  before  the  magis- 
trate's court  of  Oolesville,  Broome  county,  and  placed  on  trial. 
His  friends  and  lawyers  were  again  at  his  side,  and  his  former 
persecutors  were  arrayed  against  him  with  the  rage  and  fury 
of  demons  visible  upon  their  countenances,  and  manifested  in 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S" JOURNAL. 


59 


their  actions.  Many  witnesses  were  again  examined,  some  of 
whom  swore  to  the  most  palpable  falsehoods,  just  as  those  had 
done  who  appeared  against  him  the  previous  day.  But  they 
contradicted  themselves  so  plainly  that  the  court  would  not 
admit  their  testimony.  Others  were  called  who  showed  by  their 
zeal  that  they  were  willing  to  prove  anything  against  him,  but  all 
they  could  do  was  to  tell  some  things  they  had  heard  somebody 
else  say  about  him. 

They  proceeded  tor  a  considerable  time  in  this  frivolous  and 
vexatious  manner,  when  finally  I  was  called  upon,  and  exam- 
ined by  Lawyer  Seymour,  who  had  been  sent  for  specially  for 
this  occasion.  One  lawyer,  Burch,  was  also  retained  on  the 
prosecution,  but  Mr.  Seymour  seemed  to  be  a-  more  zealous 
Presbyterian,  and  seemed  more  anxious  and  determined  that 
the  people  should  not  be  deluded  by  any  one  professing  godli- 
ness and  not  denying  the  power  thereof. 

As  soon  as  I  had  been  sworn,  Mr.  Seymour  proceeded  to 
interrogate  me  as  follows : 

Question. — "Did  the  prisoner,  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  cast  the 
devil  out  of  you?" 

Answer. — "No,  sir.'' 

Q. — "Why,  have  you  not  had  the  devil  cast  out  of  you?" 
A. — "Yes,  sir." 

Q. — "And  had  not  Joseph  Smith  some  hand  in  it  being 
done  ? ' ' 

A — "Yes,  sir." 

Q  — "And  did  he  not  cast  him  out  of  you?" 

A. — "No,  sir,  it  was  done  by  the  power  of  God,  and  Joseph 
Smith  was  the  instrument  in  the  hands  of  God  on  this  occa- 
sion, lie  commanded  him  to  come  out  of  me  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ. ' ' 

Q. — "And  are  you  sure  it  was  the  devil?" 

A. — "Yes,  sir." 

Q.— "Did  you  see  him  after  he  was  cast  out  of  you?" 

A. — "Yes,  sir,  I  saw  him." 

Q.— "Pray,  what  did  he  look  like?  " 

(Here  one  of  the  lawyers  on  the  part  of  the  defense  told  me 
I  need  not  answer  that  question).    I  replied : 


60  SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 

"I  believe,  T  need  not  answer  you  that  question,  but  I  will 
do  it  if  I  am  allowed  to  ask  you  one,  and  you  can  answer  it. 
Do  you,  Mr.  Seymour,  understand  the  things  of  the  Spirit?" 

"No,"  answered  Mr.  Seymour,  ''I  do  not  pretend  to  such  big 
things." 

"Well,  then,"  I  replied,  "it  will  be  of  no  use  for  me  to  tell 
you  what  the  devil  looked  like,  for  it  was  a  spiritual  sight  and 
spiritually  discerned,  and,  of  course,  you  would  not  understand 
it  were  I  to  1  ell  you  of  it." 

The  lawyer  dropped  his  head,  while  the  loud  laugh  of  the 
tud.ence  proclaimed  his  discomfiture. 

Mr.  Seymour  now  addressed  the  court  and  in  a  long  and 
violent  harrangue  endeavored  toblicken  the  character  of  Joseph, 
and  bring  him  in  guilty  of  the  charges  preferred  against 
him. 

Messrs.  Davidson  and  Reed  followed  on  Joseph's  behalf. 
They  held  forth  in  true  colors  the  nature  of  the  prosecution, 
the  malignity  of  intention,  and  the  apparent  disposition  of  the 
prosecution  to  persecute  their  client,  rather  than  to  do  him 
justice.  They  took  up  the  different  arguments  that  had  been 
brought  forward  by  the  lawyers  for  the  prosecution,  and  hav- 
ing shown  their  utter  futility  and  misapplication,  they  pro- 
ceeded to  scrutinize  the  evidence  which  had  been  adduced,  and 
each  in  his  turn  thanked  God  that  he  had  been  engaged  in  so 
good  a  cause,  as  that  of  deTending  a  man,  whose  character 
stood  so  well  the  test  of  such  a  strict  investigation.  In  fact, 
these  men,  although  not  regular  lawyers,  were,  upon  this  occa- 
sion, able  to  put  to  silence  their  opponents,  and  convince  the 
court  that  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  was  innocent.  They  spoke 
like  men  inspired  of  God;  while  those  who  were  arrayed 
against  Joseph,  trembled  under  the  sound  of  their  voices,  and 
shook  before  them  as  criminals  before  the  bar  of  justice. 
Disappointment  and  shame  were  depicted  on  the  faces  of  the 
assembled  multitude,  who  now  began  to  learn  that  nothing 
could  be  sustained  against  Joseph.  The  constable,  who  had 
arrested  Joseph,  and  treated  him  in  so  cruel  and  heartless  a 
manner,  came  forward  and  apologized  and  asked  his  forgive- 
ness for  the  ill-treatment  he  had  given  him,  so  much  was  this 
man  changed  that  he  told  Joseph  the  mob  had  resolved,  if  the 


NEWEL  KNTOHTS  JOURNAL. 


61 


court  acquitted  him,  that  they  would  take  him,  tar  and  feather 
him,  and  ride  him  on  a  rail;  and  further,  that  if  Joseph  wished, 
he  would  lead  him  out  another  way,  so  that  he  could  escape  in 
safety. 

After  all  the  efforts  c?f  the  people  and  court  to  sustain  the 
charges  brought  against  Joseph  proving  an  entire  failure,  he 
was  discharged  and  succeeded  in  making  good  his  escape  from 
the  mob  through  the  instrumentality  of  his  new  friend,  the 
constable.  It  was  truly  a  source  -of  great  joy  to  us  to  know 
that  Joseph  was  once  more  out  of  the  hands  of  his  persecutors. 

After  a  few  days  the  prophet,  accompanied  by  Oliver  Cow- 
dery,  came  to  my  house,  intending  to  confirm  those  who  had 
been  baptized.  These  servants  of  God  had  scarcely  arrived 
when  the  mob  began  to  collect,  and  so  violent  were  they,  that 
it  was  thought  best  for  Joseph  and  Oliver  to  make  their  escape 
lest  they  should  suffer  at  the  hands  of  our  enemies.  They  left 
without  taking  any  refreshment,  the  mob  closely  pursuing 
them,  and  it  was  ofttimes  as  much  as  Joseph  and  Oliver  could 
do  to  escape  them.  However,  by  traveling  all  night,  excepting 
a  short  time  when  they  were  forced  to  lie  down  and  rest  them- 
selves under  a  tree,  alternately  watching  and  sleeping,  they 
managed  to  get  beyond  the  reach  of  their  pursuers.  Thus 
were  they  persecuted  because  of  their  religious  faith,  in  a 
country,  whose  constitution  guarantees  to  every  man  the  right 
of  worshiping  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  his  own  con- 
science; and  by  men,  too,  who  were  professors  of  religion,  and 
zealous  to  shield  themselves  under  the  broad  folds  of  our  glo- 
rious constitution,  though  they  could  so  wantonly  deny  it  to 
others. 

I  will  here  name  a  few  of  the  most  forward  instigators  of 
this  unhallowed  persecution.  Cyrus  McMaster,  a  Presbyterian 
of  high  standing  in  his  church.  He  at  one  time  told  Joseph 
personally  that  he  considered  him  guilty,  without  judge  or 
jury.  The  celebrated  Dr.  Boyington  was  another,  also  a  Pres- 
byterian. And  a  young  man  by  the  name  of  Benton,  of  the 
same  religious  faith,  swore  out  the  first  warrant  against 
Joseph. 

I  will  say,  however,  that  amid  all  our  trials,  that  the  God 
who  delivered  Daniel  and  the  three  Hebrew  children,  and 


fi2 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


preserved  them  upon  the  earth  in  spite  of  all  their  persecutors, 
preserved  the  Prophet  Joseph  from  suffering  death,  at  the 
hands  of  those  who  were  his  sworn  enemies,  and  who  did  all 
in  their  power,  both  in  private  and  public,  to  destroy  him. 
The  Lord  who  well  knew  our  weak  state,  blessed  us,  by  giving 
us  His  Holy  Spirit  to  comfort  our  hearts,  so  that  our  faith  in 
the  restoration  of  His  gospel  to  man  on  the  earth,  through  the 
instrumentality  of  Joseph  Smith,  Jan.,  remained  firm  and 
unshaken. 


CHAPTER  V. 

I  VISIT  JOSEPH  AT  HARMONY — REVELATION  CONCERNING 
THE  SACRAMENT— PERSECUTIONS  AT  HARMONY — THE 
BRETHREN  VISIT  ME— GOD  BLINDS  THE  EYES  OF  THEIR 
ENEMIES — THE  PROPHET  MOVES  TO  FAYETTE — FALSE 
REVELATION— BOGUS  STONE — FALSE  DOCTRINE  OVER- 
COME— HYRUM  SMITH  VISITS  ME — I  LABOR  IN  THE 
MINISTRY  WITH  HIM — MY  AUNT'S  AFFLICTION — REMARK- 
ABLE MANIFESTATION  OF  GOD'S  POWER. 

T  N  the  beginning  of  August  I,  in  company  with  my  wife, 
*  went  to  make  a  visit  to  Brother  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  who  then 
resided  at  Harmony,  Penn.  We  found  him  and  his  wife  well, 
and  in  good  spirits.  We  had  a  happy  meeting.  It  truly  gave 
me  joy  to  again  behold  his  face.  As  neither  Emma,  the  wife 
of  Joseph  Smith,  nor  my  wife  had  been  confirmed,  we  con- 
cluded to  attend  to  that  holy  ordinance  at  this  time,  and  also 
to  partake  of  the  sacrament,  before  we  should  leave  for  home. 
In  order  to  prepare  for  this,  Brother  Joseph  set  out  to  procure 
some  wine  for  the  occasion,  but  he  had  gone  only  a  short  dis- 
tance, when  he  was  met  by  a  heavenly  messenger,  and  received 
the  first  four  verses  of  the  revelation  given  on  page  138,  of 
the  Doctrine  and  Covenants  (new  edition),  the  remainder  being 
given  in  the  September  following  at,  Fayette,  New  York. 


NEWEL  KNIGHTS  JOURNAL. 


63 


In  obedience  to  this  revelation  we  prepared  some  wine  of  our 
own  make,  and  held  our  meeting,  consisting  of  only  five 
persons  namely,  Joseph  Smith  and  wife,  John  Whitmer,  and 
myself  and  wife.  We  partook  of  the  sacrament,  after  which 
we  confirmed  the  two  sisters  into  the  Church,  and  spent  the 
evening  in  a  glorious  manner.  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was 
poured  out  upon  us.  We  praised  the  God  of  Israel  and 
rejoiced  exceedingly. 

About  this  time  the  spirit  of  persecution  began  to  manifest 
itself  against  us  in  the  neighborhood  where  Joseph  lived,  which 
was  commenced  by  a  man  of  the  Methodist  persuasion  who 
professed  to  be  a  minister  of  God.  And  so  crafty  was  he,  that 
he  succeeded  in  influencing  Mr.  Hale,  father-in-law  to  Joseph, 
so  that  he  would  no  longer  give  him  protection,  although  he 
had  promised  to  do  so. 

Brother  Joseph  intended  visiting  the  Saints  at  Colesville  on 
Saturday  the  21st  of  August,  and  on  my  return,  arrange- 
ments were  made  for  the  brethren  and  sisters  to  meet  on  that 
day,  if  possible,  without  letting  our  enemies  know  anything 
about  it.  But  Brother  Joseph  was  prevented  from  keeping 
his  engagement  on  this  occasion,  but  wrote  a  letter  in  which  he 
explained  the  cause  of  his  not  coming:  the  conveyance  in 
which  he  intended  to  make  the  journey  did  not  arrive  from 
"the  west;"  and  the  distance  was  too  great  to  walk.  He 
exhorted  the  Saints,  in  a  very  excellent  letter  to  remain  faithful 
and  true  to  God,  and  prophesied  that  the  wrath  of  God  should 
soon  overtake  their  wicked  persecutors. 

On  the  29th,  however,  Brothers  Joseph  and  Hyrum  Smith, 
and  John  and  David  Whitmer  came  to  fill  the  before-men- 
tioned appointment  to  hold  meeting  and  to  confirm  those  who 
had  been  baptized  in  J une  previous.  As  they  w«ll  knew  the 
hostilities  of  our  enemies  in  their  quarter,  and  also  knowing  it 
was  their  duty  to  visit  us,  they  called  upon  our  Heavenly 
Father  in  mighty  prayer  that  He  would  grant  them  an  oppor- 
tunity of  meeting  with  us ;  that  He  would  blind  the  eyes  of 
their  enemies  that  they  might  not  see,  and  that  on  this 
occasion  they  might  return  unmolested.  Their  prayers  were  not 
in  vain.  A  little  distance  from  my  house  they  encountered  a 
large  company  of  men  at  work  upon  the  public  road,  among 


64  SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 

whom  were  found  some  of  our  most  bitter  enemies  who  looked 
earnestly  at  the  brethren  but  not  knowing  them,  the  brethren 
passed  on  unmolested. 

That  evening  the  Saints  assembled  together  and  were  con- 
firmed, and  partook  of  the  sacrament.  We  had  a  happy  meeting, 
having  much  reason  to  rejoice  in  the  God  of  our  salvation,  and 
sing  hosannas  to  His  Holy  name. 

Next  morning  the  brethren  set  out  on  their  return  home,  and 
although  their  enemies  had  offered  a  reward  to  any  one  who 
would  give  information  of  their  arrival  at  our  place,  they  got 
clear  out  of  the  neighborhood,  without  the  least  annoyance, 
and  arrived  home  in  safety.  It  was  not  long,  however, 
after  the  brethren  had  left  us,  when  the  mob  began  to  collect 
together  and  threatened  and  abused  us  in  the  most  shameful 
and  disgusting  manner  during  the  remainder  of  the  day. 

Soon  after  this  I  took  my  team  and  wagon  to  Harmony  to 
move  Joseph  and  his  family  to  Fayette,  New  York.  Mr. 
Whitmer  having  heard  of  the  persecutions  which  had  been 
raised  against  Joseph  in  Harmony,  had  invited  the  prophet  to 
go  and  live  with  him.  About  the  last  of  August,  Joseph 
arrived  at  Fayette  amid  the  joy  and  congratulations  of  friends 
and  brethren. 

Our  business  affairs  did  not  suffer  materially  although  we 
had  met  with  so  much  opposition  and  persecution,  and  we  were 
still  able  to  live  and  aid  the  work  of  God. 

After  arranging  my  affairs  at  home,  I  again  set  out  for 
Fayette,  to  attend  our  second  conference,  which  had  been 
appointed  to  beheld  at  Father  Whitmer's,  where  Joseph  then 
resided.  On  my  arrival  I  found  Brother  Joseph  in  great 
distress  of  mind  on  account  of  Hyrum  Page,  who  liad  managed 
to  get  up  Some  dissension  of  feeling  among  the  brethren  by 
giving  revelations  concerning  the  government  of  the  Church 
and  other  matters,  which  he  claimed  to  nave  received  through 
the  medium  of  a  stone  he  possessed.  He  had  quite  a  roll  of 
papers  full  of  these  revelations,  and  many  in  the  Church  were 
led  astray  by  them.  Even  Oliver  Cowdery  and  the  Whitmer 
family  had  given  heed  to  them,  although  they  were  in  contra- 
diction to  the  New  Testament  and  the  revelations  of  these  last 
days.     Here  was  a  chance  for  Satan  to  work  among  the  little 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


65 


flock,  and  he  sought  by  this  means  to  accomplish  what  perse- 
cution failed  to  do.  Joseph  was  perplexed  and  scarcely  knew 
how  to  meet  this  new  exigency.  That  night  I  occupied  the 
same  room  that  he  did  and  the  greater  part  of  the  night  was 
spent  in  prayer  and  supplication.  After  much  labor  with 
•  these  brethren  they  were  convinced  of  their  error,  and  confessed 
the  same,  renouncing  the  revelations  as  not  being  of  God,  but 
acknowledged  that  Satan  had  conspired  to  overthrow  their 
belief  in  the  true  plan  of  salvation.  In  consequence  of  these 
things  Joseph  enquired  of  the  Lord  before  conference  com- 
menced and  received  the  revelation  published  on  page  140  of 
the  Doctrine  and  Covenants,  wherein  God  explicitly  states  His 
mind  and  will  concerning  the  receiving  of  revelation. 

Conference  having  assembled,  the  first  thing  done  was  to 
consider  the  subject  of  the  stone  in  connection  with  Hyrum 
Page,  and  after  considerable  investigation  and  discussion, 
Brother  Page  and  all  the  members  of  the  Church  present 
renounced  the  stone,  and  the  revelations  connected  with  it, 
much  to  our  joy  and  satisfaction.  The  sacrament  was  then 
administered,  a  number  were  confirmed,  many  were  ordained, 
and  a  great  variety  of  Church  business  was  transacted. 

During  this  time  we  had  much  of  the  power  of  God  mani- 
fested among  us  and  it  was  wonderful  to  witness  the  wisdom 
that  Joseph  displayed  on  this  occasion,  for  truly  God  gave  unto 
him  great  wisdom  and  power,  and  it  seems  to  me,  even  now, 
that  none  who  saw  him  administer  righteousness  under 
such  trying  circumstances,  could  doubt  that  the  Lord  was  with 
him,  as  he  acted — not  with  the  wisdom  of  man,  but  with  the 
wisdom  of  God,  The  Holy  Ghost  came  upon  us  and  filled 
our  hearts  with  unspeakable  joy.  Before  this  memorable  con- 
ference closed  three  other  revelations  besides  the  one  already 
mentioned  were  received  from  God  by  our  prophet,  and  we 
were  made  to  rejoice  exeedingly  in  His  goodness. 

Soon  after  this  conference  Brother  Hyrum  Smith,  wife  and 
family  came  to  Colesville,  to  live  with  me,  but  most  of  his  time, 
.as  also  that  of  my  own,  was  spent  in  the  villages  around,  preach- 
ing the  gospel  wherever  we  could  find  any  who  would  listen  to 
us,  either  in  public  or  private.     A  few  believed  and  were 


66 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


baptized,  among  whom  was  Enier  Harris,  brother  to  Martin 
Harris,  who  proved  to  be  a  useful  laborer  in  the  vineyard. 

Many  raged  and  persecuted  us,  doing  all  in  their  power  to 
stop  the  progress  of  the  work.  But  we  moved  steadily  ahead, 
putting  our  trust  in  the  Lord  God  of  heaven. 

On  the  14th  of  October,  Brother  Hyrum  Smith  and  I  held 
a  meeting  at  my  uncle  Hezekiah  Peck's.  Brother  Hyrum  had 
great  liberty  of  speech,  and  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  was  poured 
out  upon  us  in  a  miraculous  manner.  There  was  much  good 
instruction  and  exhortation  given,  such  as  was  calculated  to 
encourage  and  strengthen  the  Saints  in  this  their  infantile 
state.  At  this  meeting,  four  persons  came  forward  and  mani- 
fested their  desire  to  forsake  all,  serve  their  God  in  humility, 
and  obey  the  requirements  of  the  gospel. 

After  the  close  of  the  meeting,  Brother  Hyrum  and  myself 
intended  going  to  spend  the  night  with  one  of  the  brethren 
who  lived  a  short  distance  from  my  uncle's,  but  as  we  were 
ready  to  start,  the  Spirit  whispered  to  me  that  I  should  tarry 
there  at  my  uncle's  all  night.  I  did  so,  and  retired  to  bed, 
where  I  rested  till  midnight  when  my  uncle  came  to  my  room 
and  desired  me  to  get  up,  saying  he  feared  his  wife  was  about 
to  die.  This  surprised  me,  as  she  was  quite  well  when  I  went 
to  bed.  I  dressed  myself,  and  having  asked  my  Heavenly 
Father  to  give  me  wisdom,  and  power  to  rebuke  the  destroyer 
from  the  habitation,  I  went  to  the  room  where  my  aunt  lay. 
She  was  in  a  most  fearful  condition ;  her  eyes  were  closed,  and 
she  appeared  to  be  in  the  last  agonies  of  death.  Presently  she 
opened  her  eyes,  and  bade  her  husband  and  children  farewell, 
telling  them  she  must  die  for  the  redemption  of  this  genera- 
tion, as  Jesus  Christ  had  died  for  the  generation  in  His  day. 
Her  whole  frame  shook,  and  she  appeared  to  be  racked  with 
the  most  exquisite  pain  and  torment ;  her  hands  and  feet  were 
cold,  and  the  blood  settled  in  her  fingers ;  while  her  husband 
and  children  stood  weeping  around  her  bed.  This  was  a  scene 
new  to  me,  and  I  felt  she  was  suffering  under  the  power  of 
Satan — that  was  the  same  spirit  that  had  bound  and  over- 
powered me  at  the  time  Joseph  cast  him  out.  I  now  cried 
unto  the  Lord  for  strength  and  wisdom  that  we  might  prevail 
over  this  wicked  and  delusive  power. t    Just  at  this  time  my 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


fiT 


uncle  cried  aloud  to  me,  saying  :  "0,  Brother  Newel,  cannot 
something  be  done  ?' '  1  felt  the  Holy  Spirit  of  the  Lord  rest 
upon  me  as  he  said  this,  and  I  immediately  stepped  forward, 
took  her  by  the  hand,  and  commanded  Satan,  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  depart.  I  told  my  aunt  she  would 
not  die,  but  that  she  should  live  to  see  her  children  grown  up; 
that  Satan  had  deceived  her,  and  put  a  lying  spirit  in  her 
mouth ;  that  Christ  had  made  the  only  and  last  atonement  for 
all  who  would  believe  on  His  name;  and  that  there  should  be 
no  more  shedding  of  blood  for  sin.  She  believed  and  stretched 
forth  her  hand,  and  cried  unto  me,  and  Satan  departed  from 
her. 

-  After  laboring  for  some  time  in  this  vicinity,  we  returned  to 
my  home,  found  our  wives  well  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord.  We  also  found  Brother  Orson  Pratt  await- 
ing us,  who  had  been  called  by  the  prophet  to  labor  with  us  in 
the  ministry. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

SIDNEY  RIGDON'S  CONVERSION— THIRD  ^CONFERENCE  OF 
THE  CHURCH — THE  SAINTS  COMMENCE  TO  GATHER — AN 
ACCIDENT — MY  AUNT'S  DREAM — ITS  FULFILLMENT — MIS- 
SOURI CHOSEN  FOR  A  GATHERING  PLACE — MY  MOTHER'S 
WISH— REFLECTIONS  ON  THE  PAST  AND  PRESENT — 
TEMPLE  SITE  LOCATED — LABORS  COMMENCE— THE  FIRST 
DEATH. 

BROTHER  OLIVER  COWDERY  had  been  called  by 
revelation  to  go  with'  Parley  P.  Pratt,  Ziba  Peterson  and 
Peter  Whitmer,  Jun. ,  to  preach  to  the  Lamanites.  Parley 
P.  Pratt  had  belonged  to  the  same  church  as  Sidney  Rigdon, 
and  had  been  sent  by  his  sect  on  some  business  to  New  York 
state,  and  while  there  he  heard,  and  embraced  the  gospel,  was 
ordained  an  Elder  and  immediately  sent  on  this  mission. 
Having  been  acquainted  with  Sidney  Rigdon,  he  called  on  him, 


68 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


presented  the  Book  of  Mormon  to  him  a*  a  revelation  from 
God,  and  before  these  brethren  moved  on  to  the  fulfillment  of 
their  mission,  Sidney  Rigdon,  with  a  large  number  of  the 
members  of  his  church,  was  baptized.  The  success  of  these 
brethren  was  immense.  They  preached  in  all  the  towns  and 
villages  on  their  road,  bearing  a  faithful  testimony  wherever 
they  could  be  heard. 

Tn  December,  Sidney  Rigdon  visited  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  to 
inquire  of  the  Lord  what  he  should  do.  This  was  a  very 
pleasant  meeting,  and,  by  the  voice  of  revelation, .  these 
brethren  were  called  to  labor  together  even  from  their  first 
acquaintance. 

A  new  year  dawned  upon  us,  with  everything  around  us 
bright  and  cheerful,  and  the  prospects  ahead  such  as  to  give  us 
joy.  In  the  midst  of  persecution  we  rejoiced,  knowing  that 
our  God  was  with' us,  and  His  great  work  would  roll  on,  and 
man  could  not  stop  its  progress. 

On  the  5nd  of  January,  1831,  the  third  conference  of  the 
Church  assembled.  Many  of  the  Saints  came  together  from 
the  region  around,  and  much  good  instruction  was  given.  The 
Saints  manifested  unshaken  confidence  in  the  great  work 
which  they  were  eugaged,  and  all  rejoiced  under  the  blessings 
of  the  gospel.  Considerable  business  was  transacted  for  the 
Church.  • 

It  was  at  this  conference  that  we  were  instructed  as  a  people, 
to  begin  the  gathering  of  Israel,  and  a  revelation  was  given  to 
the  prophet  on  this  subject. 

Having  returned  home  from  conference,  in  obedience  to  the 
commandment  which  had  been  given,  I,  together  with  the 
Colesville  Branch,  began  to  make  preparations  to  go  to 
Ohio.  Towards  the  latter  part  of  January  Brother  Joseph 
Smith  and  wife,  Sidney  Rigdon  and  Edward  Partridge 
started  for  Kirtland,  Ohio. 

As  might  be  expected,  we  were  obliged  to  make  great  sacri- 
fices of  our  property.  The  most  of  my  time  was  occupied  in 
visiting  the  brethren,  and  helping  to  arrange  their  affairs,  so 
that  we  might  travel  together  in  one  company.  Having  made 
the  best  arrangements  we  could  for  the  journey,  we  bade  adieu 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


69 


to  all  we  held  dear  on  this  earth  and  in  the  early  part  of  April 
started  for  our  destination. 

We  had  proceeded  but  a  few  days  on  our  journey,  when  I 
was  subepnaed  as  a  witness,  and  had  to  go  to  Colesville.  On 
arriving  there  it  was  very  evident  that  this  plan  had  been 
adopted  by  our  enemies  to  add  a  little  more  to  the  persecu- 
tions already  heaped  upon  us.  The  whole  company  declined 
traveling  until  I  should  return. 

Soon  alter  I  left,  my  aunt,  Electa  Peck,  fell  and  broke  her 
shoulder  in  a  most  shocking  manner;  a  surgeon  was  called  to 
relieve  her  sufferings,  which  were  very  great.  My  aunt 
dreamed  that  I  returned  and  laid  my  hands  upon  her, 
prayed  for  her,  and  she  was  made  whole,  and  pursued  her 
journey  with  the  company.  She  related  this  dream  to  the 
surgeon  who  replied,  "If  you  are  able  to  travel  in  many 
weeks  it  will  be  a  miracle,  and  I  will  be  a  Mormon  too." 

I  arrived  at  the  place,  Where  the  company  had  stopped,  late 
in  the  evening ;  but,  on  learning  of  the  accident,  I  went  to 
see  my  aunt,  and  immediately  on  my  entering  the  room  she 
said,  "0,  Brother  Newel,  if  you  will  lay  your  hands  upon  me, 
I  shall  be  well  and  able  to  go  on  the  journey  with  you."  I 
stepped  up  to  the  bed,  and,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  rebuked  the  pain  with  which  she  was  suffering,  and 
commanded  her  to  be  made  whole  ;  and  it  was  done  ;  for  the 
next  morning  she  arose,  dressed  herself,  and  pursued  the 
journey  with  us. 

We  arrived  at  Buffalo  without  any  further  trouble,  where 
we  were  to  take  passage  on  board  a  sloop  for  Fairport,  Ohio. 
But  the  wind  blew  from  the  lake  and  filled  the  harbor  with 
ice,  so  that  we  were  detained  nearly  two  weeks.  When  we  set 
sail  on  the  lake,  the  winds  continued  boisterous,  and  the  vessel 
was  tossed  about  in  such  a  manner  that  nearly  all  the  company 
were  sea  sick,  which  made  it  rather  a  disagreeable  voyage.  We 
arrived  safely,  however,  at  our  destination. 

On  our  arrival  it  was  advised  that  the  Colesville  branch 
remain  together,  and  go  to  a  neighboring  town  called  Thomp- 
son, as  a  man  by  the  name  of  Copely  had  a  considerable  tract 
of  land  there  which  he  offered  to  let  the  Saints  occupy.  Con- 
sequently a  contract  was  agreed  upon,  and  we  commenced 


70 


SCRAPS  OP  BIOGRAPHY. 


work  in  good  faith.  But  in  a  short  time  Copely  broke  the 
engagement,  and  1  went  to  Kirtland  to  see  Brother  Joseph, 
and  to  attend  conference,  which  had  been  appointed  to  be  held 
on  the  6th  of  June,  1831. 

Conference  convened.  The  Elders,  from  various  parts  of  the 
country  where  they  had  been  laboring,  came  in,  and  the  power 
of  the  Lord  was  displayed  in  our  midst.  A  number  were 
ordained  to  the  Melchizedek  Priesthood,  and  the  hearts  of  the 
Saints  rejoiced  in  the  rich  blessings  bestowed  upon  them. 

We  now  understood  that  this  was  not  the  land  of  our 
inheritance — the  land  of  promise,  for  it  was  made  known  in  a 
revelation,  that  Missouri  was  the  place  chosen  for  the  gathering 
of  the  Church,  and  several  were  called  to  lead  the  way  to  that 
state. 

A  revelation  was  also  given  concerning  the  gathering,  on  the 
receipt  of  which  we,  who  constituted  the  Colesville  branch, 
immediately  set  to  preparing  for  our  journey,  and  on  the  third 
day  of  June,  I  took  passage  with  the  Colesville  company  at 
Wellsville,  Ohio,  and  arrived  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  on  the 
13th.  On  the  18th  we  took  passage  on  the  steamer 
Chieftain  for  Independence. 

My  mother's  health  was  very  poor  and  had  been  for  a  con- 
siderable time,  yet  she  would  not  consent  to  stop  traveling ; 
her  only,  or  her  greatest  desire,  was  to  set  her  feet  upon  the 
land  of  Zion,  and  to  have  her  body  interred  in  that  land.  I 
went  on  shore  and  bought  lumber  to  make  a  coffin  in  case  she 
should  die  before  we  arrived  at  our  place  of  destination— so 
fast  did  she  fail.  But  the  Lord  gave  her  the  desire  of  her 
heart,  and  she  lived  to  stand  upon  that  land;  where  we 
arrived  on  the  25th  of  June.  * 

This  was  the  first  branch  of  the  Church  which  had  emi- 
grated to  the  land  of  Zion.  I  found  it  required  all  the  wis- 
dom I  possessed  to  lead  the  company  through  so  long  a  jour- 
ney in  the  midst  of  their  enemies,  yet  so  great  were  the  mer- 
cies and  blessings  of  God  to  us,  that  not  one  of  us  was  harmed. 

Brothers  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  Sidney  Rigdon,  Martin 
Harris,  Edward  Partridge,  W.  W.  Phelps,  Joseph  Coe,  and 
A.  S.  Gilbert  and  wife,  had  started  for  Missouri  on  the  19th 
of  June,  and  arrived  at  Independence  about  the  middle  of 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL, 


71 


July.  We  were  glad  to  find  these  brethren  in  good  health 
and  spirits,  and  it  was  indeed  a  joy  to  meet  them  once 
more. 

But  our  feelings  can  be  better  imagined  than  described, 
when  we,  found  ourselves  upon  the  Western  frontiers.  The 
country  itself  presented  a  pleasant  aspect  with  its  rich  forests 
bordering  its  beautiful  streams,  and  its  deep  rolling  prairies 
spreading  far  and  wide,  inviting  the  hand  of  industry  to  estab- 
lish for  itself  homes  upon  its  broad  bosom.  And  this  was  the 
place,  where  the  Lord  had  promised  to  reveal  unto  us  where 
be  built  up,  established— where  the  New  Jerusalem  should 
Zion  should  be  and  our  hearts  went  forth  unto  the  Lord  desiring 
the  fulfillment,  that  we  might  know  where  to  bestow  our 
labors  profit-  ably.  We  had  not  long  to  wait,  for  during  the 
month  the  Lord  gave  a  revelation  to  Brother  Joseph,  design- 
ating the  spot. 

Being  no  longer  at  a  loss  to  know  where  the  exact  spot  for 
the  building  of  the  temple  and  the  city  of  Zion  was,  we 
immediately  prepared  for  our  labors.  On  the  2nd  day  of 
August,  Brother  Joseph  Smith,  Jun.,  the  prophet  of  Godt 
assisted  the  Colesville  branch  to  lay  the  first  log  as  a  founda- 
tion for  Zion  in  Kaw  township,  twelve  miles  west  of  Indepen- 
dence. The  log  was  carried  by  twelve  men,  in  honor  of  the 
twelve  tribes  of  Israel.  At  the  same  time,  through  prayer, 
Sidney  Rigdon  consecrated  and  dedicated  the  land  of  Zion  for 
the  gathering  of  the  Saints.  This  was  truly  a  season  of  joy 
and  rejoicing  to  all  the  Saints,  who  took  part  in,  or  witnessed 
the  proceedings. 

On  the  3rd  of  August  the  spot  for  the  temple,  a  little  West 
of  Independence,  was  dedicated  in  the  presence  of  Joseph 
Smith,  Jun.,  Oliver  Cowdery,  Sidney  Rigdon,  Edward  Part- 
ridge, Martin  Harris,  Joseph  Coe,  and  myself. 

On  the  4th,  the  first  conference  held  in  the  land  of  Zion, 
convened  at  the  house  of  Brother  Joshua  Lewis,  in  Kaw  town- 
ship. The  Colesville  branch  was  present,  and  much  good 
instruction  was  given,  and  we  felt  to  give  thanks  to  that  God 
who  had  brought  us  out  of  the  land  of  our  nativity  and 
planted  us  in  the  land  of  Zion. 


72 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


On  the  6th,  my  mother  died.  She  quietly  fell  asleep  rejoic- 
ing in  the  new  and  everlasting  gospel,  and  praising  God  that 
she  had  lived  to  see  the  land  of  Zion  and  that  her  body  would 
rest  in  peace,  after  all  the  suffering  she  had  endured  from  the 
persecutions  of  the  wicked. 

On  the  7th,  Brother  Joseph  attended  the  funeral,  and 
addressed  us  in  an  impressive  and  consoling  manner.  This 
was  the  first  death  that  had  occurred  in  this  Church  in  this 
land. 

On  the  9th,  in  company  with  several  Elders,  Brother  Joseph 
Smith  Jun.,  left  Independence  to  return  to  Kirtland.  They 
went  down  the  river  in  canoes. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

MY  APPOINTMENT— A  VISIT  FROM  JOSEPH— ACCORDING  TO 
JOSEPH  S  PROMISE,  MY  WIFE  BEARS  ME  A  SON— NEW 
REVELATIONS— MY  AUNT  OVEKCOME  BY  THE  EVIL  ONE 
— SHE  MISLEADS  MANY — HER  ANGUISH  AND  RESTORA- 
TION. 

THE  time  now  passed  in  our  common  labors,  in  building 
houses,  plowing,  sowing  grain,  and  all  other  labors  neces- 
sary to  build  up  a  new  country.  We  were  not  accustomed  to  a 
frontier  life,  so  things  around  us  seemed  new  and  strange  and 
the  work  we  had  to  do  was  of  a  different  nature  to  that  which 
had  been  done  in  the  East.  Yet  we  took  hold  with  cheerful 
hearts,  and  a  determination  to  do  our  best,  and  with  all  dili- 
gence went  to  work  to  secure  food  and  prepare  for  the  coming 
winter. 


NEWEL  KNIOHT'S  JOURNAL. 


73 


I  had  been  appointed  to  preside  over  the  Colesville  branch 
in  this  place.  We  passed  the  Winter  in  a  tolerably  comfort- 
able manner.  Our  meetings  were  well  attended,  the  hearts 
of  the  Saints  were  united,  and  peace  and  happiness  abounded. 

On  the  24th  of  April,  1832,  Brother  Joseph  Smith  visited 
us  at  Independence,  and  on  the  26th,  called  a  general  council  of 
the  Church.  Business  of  much  importance  was  transacted, 
among  which  was  the  public  acknowledgement  by  the  Church 
of  Joseph's  true  position  as  President  of  the  High  Priesthood. 
He  had  been  ordained  to  that  position  in  the  previous  January 
and  now  the  right  hand  of  lellowship  was  given  him  by  the 
Church  in  the  capaciy  of  its  Bishop.  The  Spirit  and  power  of 
God  were  manifested  in  our  midst,  and  those  who  had  difficul- 
ties, settled  them,  so  that  the  blessings  of  the  gospel  flowed 
without  restraint.  The  brethren  were  full  of  good  instructions, 
and  we  felt  ourselves  renewed  in  spirit. 

Brother  Joseph  did  not  forget  his  old.  friends  of  the  Coles- 
ville branch,  and  he  came  the  twelve  miles  to  visit  us;  we 
welcomed  him  heartily  and  were  greatly  rejoiced  to  see  his  face 
once  more,  and  to  shake  him  by  the  hand.  He  remained  with 
us  two  days,  and  returned  on  the  30th  to  Independence, 
where  he  again  sat  in  council  with  the  brethren.  Arrange- 
ments were  made  for  printing  the  book  of  Doctrine  and  Cov- 
enants, and  the  Hymn  Book,  also  for  establishing  a  store 
by  which  the  Saints  could  be  supplied  with  whatever  they 
needed,  through  the  channels  of  the  Church.  It  was  also 
arranged  that  the  Saints  in  Ohio  should  be  supplied  with  stores 
in  a  similar  manner.  This  gave  great  satisfaction  to  the 
brethren  generally. 

On  the  ]4th  of  October,  my  wife  bore  me  a  son.  She  had 
never  before  given  birth  to  a  living  child,  and  the  doctors  who 
had  attended  her  before,  had  said  it  was  impossible  that  she 
should.  But  Brother  Joseph  blessed  her  and  said  she  should 
have  the  desire  of  her  heart.  She  never  doubted  the  prophet's 
words,  and  as  soon  as  her  son  was  born  she  desired  him  to  be 
called  Samuel,  for  she  said  she  had  asked  him  from  the  Lord. 
My  wife  soon  recovered  from  her  sickness. 

Brother  J oseph  from  time  to  time  sent  copies  of  revelations 
to  me  for  the  benefit  of  the  branch  over  which  I  presided  in 

3« 


74 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


common  with  all  the  Saints  in  Zion.  On  reading  one  of  these 
revelations  to  the  branch,  my  aunt  of  whom  mention  has  been 
made,  arose  and  contradicted  the  revelation,  saying  it  must  be 
taken  in  a  spiritual  light.  She  went  to  such  a  length  that  I  felt 
constrained  to  rebuke  her  by  the  authority  of  the  Priesthood. 
At  this  she  was  angry,  and  from  that  time  sought  to  influence 
all  who  would  listen  to  her.  The  result  was  a  division  of  feel- 
ing in  the  branch,  and  her  husband  partook  of  her  spirit  until 
he  became  so  enthusiastic,  that  he  went  from  branch  to  branch 
crying,  "hosanna,  glory  to  God !  Zion  is  redeemed!  and  blessed 
is  he  that  bringeth  good  tidings  to  the  people!"  Sister  Peck 
at  length  began  to  feel  the  weight  of  what  she  had  done,  but 
she  could  not  recall  it.  She  seemed  racked  with  great  torment, 
her  mind  found  no  rest,  until  a  burning  fever  brought  her  to  a 
sick  bed.  She  sent  for  several  of  the  Elders  to  administer  to 
her,  but  found  no  relief.  At  last  she  sent  for  P.  P.  Pratt, 
Lyman  Wight  ami  myself,  we  laid  our  hands  upon  her  and 
administered  to  her,  after  which  she  looked  up  in  despair  and 
said  she  hoped  I  would  deliver  her  from  the  awful  state  she 
was  in.  Her  whole  frame  was  racked  with  intense  anguish  while 
her  mind  seemed  almost  in  despair.  Brother  Parley  said  to 
me:  "Brother  Newel,  you  must  do  something  for  her."  My  soul 
was  drawn  out  in  pity  for  her,  yet  I  knew  not  what  to 
do.  I  felt  impressed  to  call  the  branch  together  that  even- 
ing. 

When  the  meeting  had  been  opened  as  usual,  I  arose,  not 
knowing  what  to  do  or  what  to  say.  After  requesting  the 
prayers  and  united  faith  of  all  present,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
came  upon  me,  so  that  I  was  able  to  make  plain  the  cause  of 
Sister  Peck's  illness — that  she  had  risen  up  in  opposition  to  the 
Priesthood  which  had  been  placed  over  that  branch  of  the 
Church,  and  contradicted  the  revelations  of  God,  and  that  by 
the  sympathies  shown  her,  a  division  of  feeling  had  gained 
advantage  over  them,  until  Sister  Peck  had  fallen  completely 
under  the  power  of  Satan,  and  could  not  extricate  herself.  I 
told  the  brethren  and  sisters,  if  they  would  repent  of  what 
they  had  done,  and  renew  their  covenants  one  with  another 
and  with  the  Lord,  and  uphold  the  authorities  placed  over  them, 
and  also  the  revelations  which  the  Lord  had  given  unto  us,  it 


NEAYTX  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


75 


would  be  all  right  with  Sister  Peck,  for  this  would  break  the 
bands  of  Satan  and  make  us  free. 

I  had  no  sooner  closed  my  remarks  than  with  one  united 
voice,  all  came  forward  and  agreed  to  do  so.  I  then  went  to 
Sister  Peck,  and  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  by  virtue 
of  the  Holy  Priesthood,  commanded  the  evil  powers  to  depart 
from  her,  and  blessed  her  with  peace  and  strength,  both  of 
body  and  mind.  I  then  dismissed  the  meeting  and  told  the 
family  to  go  to  bed,  and  rest  as  usual,  and  all  would  be  well. 
Early  the  next  morning  I  called  to  see  her,  she  stretched  out 
her  hand  as  soon  as  she  saw  me,  and  said,  0,  Brother  Newel, 
forgive  me !  1  did  not  believe  one  word  you  said  last  night, 
but. when  I  awoke  this  morning  I  found  I  was  not  in  hell. 
Her  rejoicings  were  very  great,  and  union  again  prevailed  with 
us,  and  we  all  felt  we  had  learned  a  lesson  that  would  be  of 
lasting  benefit  to  us. 

On  the  6th  of  April,  1833,  the  Church  met  together  at  the 
ferry  on  Big  Blue  river  to  celebrate  the  Church's  birthday. 
This  was  the  first  celebration  of  the  kind  and  the  Saints  felt 
their  privilege  and  enjoyed  themselves  in  the  worship  of  their 
Heavenly  Father,  and  praised  His  holy  name.  The  brethren 
returned  to  their  homes  renewed  in  spirit,  and  rejoicing  in 
heart.  Such  peace  and  happiness  were  not  however,  to  con- 
tinue long  without  an  interruption  from  our  enemies,  for  when 
the  Saints  rejoice,  the  devil  is  mad,  and  his  children  and 
son  ants  partake  of  his  spirit.  This  was  proven  in  this  instance, 
for  before  this  month  had  closed,  a  most  dreadful  and  dia- 
bolical spirit  of  persecution  manifested  itself  all  around  us. 
An  immense  mob  collected  together  expressing  a  determination 
to  drive  us  from  our  homes  for  they  would  not  allow  the  "Mor- 
mons" to  live  in  their  midst. 

On  hearing  this  news,  a  number  of  the  brethren  met  together 
and  prayed  to  God  to  overrule  the  wicked  designs  of  the  mob 
meeting,  that  they  might  not  have  power  to  agree  upon  their 
plans,  or  to  execute  their  wicked  threats.  They  broke  up  in  a 
regular  row,  and  for  time  all  was  well.  As  might  be 
expected,  this  caused  considerable  uneasiness  among  us,  and  it 
required  great  wisdom  and  care  on  our  part  to  keep  the  Saints 
quiet,  and  to  keep  them  at  their  labors. 


76 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


In  the  meantime  the  Lord  had  given  a  commandment  to 
Zion  to  build  a  temple  to  His  holy  name. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


MR.  PIXLEY's  BITTERNESS — OUR  ENEMIES  MAKE  PLANS  FOR 
OUR  OVERTHROW — THEIR  RESOLUTIONS — OUR  PRINTING 
OFFICE  DESTROYED — BRETHREN  TARRED  AND  FEATHERED 
— OUR  APPEAL  TO  THE  GOVERNOR — HIS  ADVICE — 
SAINTS  DRIVEN — UNEXPECTED  ENGAGEMENT — SEVERAL 
KILLED  AND  WOUNDED. 

\\  PH1LE  peaceful  pursuits  characterized  the  doings  of  the 


»  »  Saints,  the  mobocratic  spirit  of  our  enemies  was  but 
slumbering  for  a  short  time,  and  the  uneasy,  restless  spirit  of 
the  people  would  occasionally  manifest  itself,  until,  at  last,  in 
July  it  again  burst  forth.  The  sectarian  priests  and  mission- 
aries around  us  were  among  the  first  to  come  out  both  secretly 
and  openly  against  us.  Among  the  more  active  of  these  was 
a  Mr.  Pixley,  who  did  not  content  himself  in  slandering  us  to 
the  people  of  Jackson  co.,  but  also  wrote  to  eastern  papers, 
telling  horrible  lies  about  us,  with  the  evident  intention  of 
rousing  a  spirit  of  hatred  against  us.  His  talk  was  ot  the 
bitterest  kind,  his  speeches  perfectly  inflamatory,  and  he 
appeared  to  have  an  influence  among  the  people,  to  carry  them 
with  him  in  his  hellish  designs.  Nor  did  he  confine  his  actions 
to  the  white  settlers,  but  tried  to  stir  up  the  Indians  against 
us,  and  used  every  means  in  his  power  to  accomplish  his  pur- 
poses. His  efforts  were  seconded  by  such  men  as  Reverends 
McCoy,  Fitzhugh,  Bogard,  Kavanaugh,  Lovelady,  Likens, 
Hunter  and  others ;  and  by  their  perseverance,  at  last  the 
public  miud  became  so  excited,  thatonthe  20th  of  July  a  meet- 
ing was  called  and  largely  attended  by  not  only  the  rabble  of 
the  county,  but  also  by  men  holding  official  positions.  A  full 
account  of  this  proceeding  was  published,  and  it  was 
stated  among  other  imaginary  evils  that  we  were  poor,  and 


NEWfX  KNTOIIT'S  JOURNAL. 


77 


that  the  members  of  our  Church  who  gathered  from  various 
places  did  not  possess  much  of  this  world's  goods,  which  was, 
apparently,  a  crime  in  their  estimation.  We  were  also  accused 
of  believing  in  the  gifts  and  blessings  of  the  ancient  gospel. 
Other  things  were  enumerated,  when  it  was  resolved  that  "no 
Mormon  shall  in  future  move  and  settle  in  this  county ;  that 
those  now  here  shall  give  a  definite  pledge  of  their  intention 
to  move  out  of  the  county  within  a  reasonable  time;  that  the 
editor  of  the  Star  be  required  forthwith  to  close  his  office  and 
discontinue  the  business  of  printing  in  this  county ;  that  the 
Mormon  leaders  here  are  required  to  use  their  influence  to 
prevent  any  further  emigration  of  their  distant  brethren  to 
this  county,  and  to  counsel  and  advise  their  brethren  here  to 
comply  with  the  above  requisitions,  and  that  those  who  fail  to 
do  so,  be  referred  to  those  of  their  brethren  who  have  the  gift 
of  divination  and  of  unknown  tongues  to  inform  them  of  the 
lot  that  awaits  them. 

"These  resolutions  were  read,  considered  and  unanimously 
adopted.  It  was  thereupon  agreed  that  a  committee  of  twelve 
be  appointed  forthwith  to  wait  on  the  Mormon  leaders,  and 
see  that  the  foregoing  requisitions  be  strictly  complied  with 
by  them  ;  and  upon  their  refusal,  that  said  committee  do,  as 
the  organ  of  this  county,  inform  them  that  it  is  our  unwaver- 
ing purpose  and  fixed  determination,  after  the  fullest  consi- 
deration of  all  consequences  and  responsibilities  under  which 
we  act,  to  use  such  means  as  shall  endure  their  full  and  com- 
plete adoption,  and  that  said  committee,  so  far  as  may  be 
within  their  power,  report  to  this  present  meeting. 

"The  following  gentlemen  were  named  as  said  committee: 
Robert  Johnson,  James  Campbell,  Col.  Mores  Wilson,  Joel 
F.  Chiles,  Hon.  Richard  Fristoe,  Abner  T.  Staples,  Gad 
Johnson,  Lewis  Franklin,  Russel  Hicks,  Esq.,  Col.  S.  D. 
Lucas,  Thomas  Wilson  and  James  M.  Hunter,  to  whom  was 
added  Col.  R.  Simpson,  chairman. 

"After  an  adjourmcnt  of  two  hours,  the  meeting  again  con- 
vened, and  the  committee  of  twelve  reported  that  they  had  called 
on  Mr.  Phelps,  the  editor  of  the  Star,  Edward  Patridge,  the 
Bishop  of  the  sect,  and  Mr.  Gilbert,  the  keeper  of  the  Lord's 
storehouse,  and  some  others,  and  that  they  declined  giving 


78 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


any  direct  answers  to  the  requisitions  made  of  them,  and 
wished  an  unreasonable  time  for  consultation,  not  only  with 
their  brethren  here,  but  in  Ohio. 

"Whereupon  it  was  unanimously  resolved  by  the  meeting 
that  the  Star  printing  office,  should  be  razed  to  the  ground 
and  the  type  and  press  secured.  Which  resolution  was,  with 
the  utmost  order,  and  the  least  noise  and  disturbance  possible, 
forthwith  carried  into  executiou,  as  also  some  other  steps  of 
a  similar  tendency ;  but  no  blood  was  spilled  nor  any  blows 
inflicted.  The  meeting  then  adjourned  until  the  23rd  instant, 
to  meet  again  to  know  further  concerning  the  determination 
of  the  Mormons." 

In  the  meeting  of  the  23rd  another  committee  was  appointed 
to  wait  upon  our  leaders  and  learn  from  them  what  course 
they  intended  to  pursue.  At  the  meeting  of  this  committee 
and  our  brethren  it  was  stipulated  that  our  people  should 
leave  the  county  before  the  1st  of  January  following,  and  that 
those  who  were  then  on  the  way  to  Zion  should  only  remain 
sufficiently  long  to  make  a  selection  of  another  home. 

In  the  minutes  of  their  meetings  the  mob  neglected  to  tell 
of  the  outrages  inflicted  on  the  persons  of  Bishop  Partridge, 
Elder  Charles  Allen,  and  others,  the  two  former  of  whom  they 
took  (after  demolishing  the  printing  office)  to  the  public 
square,  and  tarred  and  feathered  them,  making  at  the  same 
time  the  most  horrid  threats,  merely  because  they  would  not 
renounce  their  religion.  They  have  not  told  of  the  solemn 
covenant  entered  into  by  the  mob,  wherein  they  pledged  their 
lives,  their  bodily  power,  fortunes  and  sacred  honors  to  drive 
the  Saints  from  Jackson  Co.  They  have  not  set  forth  the 
unholy  combination  entered  into,  to  lay  waste  and  destroy  the 
property  of  the  Saints,  and  to  drive  them  forth  from  their 
prosperous  settlements  which  were  being  built  up.  But  all 
these  things  are  known  to  God  and  many  of  the  Saints,  and 
although  the  participators  fail  to  record  these  things,  they  are 
written  where  it  is  beyond  the  power  of  men  to  erase  them, 
and  where  our  enemies  will  one  day  hear  them  read. 

In  the  latter  part  of  September  Brothers  Hyde  and  Gould 
came  to  us  with  counsel  and  instruction  from  Brother  Joseph, 
so  that  they  might  help  us  in  our  unpleasant  circumstances. 


NEWEL  KNIGHS'S  JOURNAL. 


79 


It  was  decided  to  petition  Governor  DuDklin  for  redress  and 
protection,  and  Brothers  Orson  Hyde  and  W.  W.  Phelps  were 
sent  to  Jefferson  city  for  that  purpose,  bearing  a  document 
setting  forth  our  grievances,  and  giving  details  of  the  shameful 
proceedings  of  July. 

The  governor  received  these  brethren  courteously,  but  gave 
tliem  no  answer  at  the  time  as  the  attorney  general  was  absent. 
He  stated  that  he  desired  to  maintain  law  and  order  in  the 
state,  and  was  willing  to  do  anything  in  his  power  to  assist  in 
the  protection  of  the  Saints.    He  subsequently  wrote  : 

"No  citizen,  nor  number  of  citizens,  have  a  right  to  take 
the  redress  of  their  grievances,  whether  real  or  imaginary, 
into  their  own  hands;  such  conduct  strikes  at  the  very  exist- 
ance  of  society,  and  subverts  the  foundation  on  which  it  is 
based.  Not  being  willing  to  persuade  myself  that  any 
portion  of  the  citizens  of  the  state  of  Missouri  are  so 
lost  to  a  sense  of  these  truths  as  to  require  the  exercise  of 
force,  in  order  to  ensure  respect  for  them. 

"After  advising  with  the  attorney  general,  and  exercising 
my  best  judgment,  I  would  advsie  you  to  make  a  trial  of  the 
efficacy  of  the  laws;  the  judge  of  your  circuit  is  a  conservator 
of  the  peace.  If  an  affidavit  is  made  before  him  by  any  of 
you,  that  your  lives  are  threatened  and  you  believe  them  in 
danger,  it  would  be  his  duty  to  have  the  offenders  apprehended 
and  bind  them  to  keep  peace.  Justices  of  peace  in  their 
respective  counties  have  the  same  authority,  and  it  is  made 
their  duty  to  exercise  it.  Take,  then,  this  course ;  obtain  a 
warrant,  let  it  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  proper  officer, 
and  the  experiment  will  be  tested  whether  laws  can  be  peace- 
ably executed  or  not.  In  the  event  that  they  cannot  be,  and  that 
fact  is  officially  notified  to  me,  my  duty  will  require  me  to 
take  such  steps  as  will  enforce  .  a  faithful  execution  of 
them." 

This  communication  comforted  the  hearts  of  the  brethren, 
for  they  felt  they  were  not  entirely  left  in  the  hands  of  the 
ruthless  mob,  but  that  they  would  be  protected  in  their  rights. 
They  renewed  their  labors  and  felt  to  rejoice  before  their 
Heavenly  Father.  In  the  meantime  the  brethren  in  Indepen- 
dence retained  four  lawyers  from  Clay  Co.,  named,  Wood, 


80 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


Reese,  Doniphan,  and  Atchinson,  with  a  fee  of  one  thousand 
dollars.  As  soon  as  the  mob  heard  oi  this  they  became  very 
much  enraged.  They  disregarded  the  compact  and  assembled 
together  vowing  vengeance  on  all  the  "Mormons,"  being 
determined  that  we  should  leave  forthwith.  From  the  31st 
of  October  until  the  4th  of  November,  there  was  one  continual 
scene  of  outrages  of  the  most  hideous  kind.  The  mob  col- 
lected in  different  parts  of  the  county  and  attacked  the  Saints 
in  most  of  their  settlements,  houses  were  unroofed,  others 
were  pulled  down,  leaving  women  and  children,  and  even  the 
sick  and  the  dying  exposed  to  the  inclemency  of  the  weather. 
Men  were  caught  and  whipped  or  clubbed  until  they  were 
bruised  from  head  to  foot,  and  some  were  left  upon  the  ground 
for  dead.  The  most  horrid  threats  and  imprecations  were 
uttered  against  us,  and  women  and  children  were  told,  with 
cursings,  that  unless  they  left  the  country  immediately  they 
should  be  killed.  The  brethren  had  to  get  together  to  pro- 
tect themselves,  and  they  went  from  place  to  place  to  assist 
those  who  were  threatened.  In  some  instances  these  parties, 
when  marching  to  the  relief  of  their  brethren,  were  inter- 
cepted and  flagrant  outrages  committed  upon  theta.  Things 
continued  in  this  state  until  the  4th  of  November,  when  the 
mob  were  hunting  a  small  party  of  our  brethren,  and  breaking 
down,  and  feeding  upon  our  crops,  and  otherwise  destroying 
them.  While  fifty  or  sixty  were  thus  engaged,  about  thirty 
of  the  brethren  came  upon  them  and  a  battle  ensued.  As 
soon  as  the  mob  saw  the  brethren  coming,  some  of  them 
called  out,  "Fire,  G— d  d— m  ye,  fire!"  and  several  shots 
were  immediately  fired  into  our  party,  which  were  promptly 
returned,  when  the  mob  fled,  leaving  some  of  their  horses  in 
one  of  the  corn  fields,  and  H.  L.  Brazile  and  Thomas  Liuvill 
dead  on  the  ground.  We  also  learned  that  several  of  their 
number  were  wounded.  W-e  had  two  or  three  wounded.  One, 
a  young  man  named  Barber,  received  a  mortal  wound ;  he  was 
the  first  man  in  this  dispensation,  who  was  martyred  for  the 
truth's  sake.  Another,  Philo  Dibble,  was  wounded  in  the 
abdomen  at  the  first  discharge ;  he  was  examined  by  a  surgeon 
of  great  experience,  who  had  served  in  the  Mohawk  war,  and 
he  said  he  never  knew  a  man  to  live  who  was  wounded  iu  such  a 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


SI 


manner.  The  next  day  I  went  to  see  Brother  Dibble,  and  found 
the  house  where  he  lay  surrounded  by  the  mob.  I  managed 
to  get  in,  and  went  to  the  bed;  two; men  came  and  seated 
themselves  at  the  door;  as  I  looked  upon  Brother  Dibble 
lying  there  in  extreme  agony,  I  drew  the  bed  curtains  with 
one  hand  and  laid  the  other  upon  his  head,  praying  secretly 
to  our  heavenly  Father  in  his  behalf.  I  then  left,  as  1 
did  not  wish  to  put  myself  into  the  power  of  the  mob ;  and 
the  next  day  business  took  me  some  ten  miles  from  the  place, 
were  I  met  Brother  Dibble  making  his  escape  from  the  county. 
He  told  me  that  as  soon  as  I  placed  my  hand  upon  his  head, 
the  pain  and  soreness  seemed  gradually  to  move  as  before  a 
power  driving  it,  until  in  a  few  minutes  it  left  his  body.  He 
then  discharged  about  a  gallon  of  putrid  matter,  and  the  balls 
and  pieces  of  clothing  which  had  passed  into  his  body. 

My  mill  was  doing  business  for  the  people  generally,  yet  the 
mob  was  not  disposed  to  let  it  escape  their  fury,  and  we  were 
obliged  to  guard  it  day  and  night.  On  one  occasion,  when 
two  or  three  companies  of  the  mob  were  in  the  neighborhood,  " 
they  sent  two  of  their  number  as  spies  to  learn  our  situation. 
Parley  P.  Pratt,  who  was  on  guard  at  the  mill,  on  seeing  them, 
went  and  accosted  them,  when  one  of  the  two  raised  his  gun 
and  struck  Brother  Pratt  on  the  head,  cutting  e  large  hole, 
but  Brother  Pratt  called  to  his  men,  who  took  the  two  spies 
prisoners,  and  disarmed  them  for  the  night,  but  the  next 
morning  returned  their  arms  to  them,  and  let  them  go  with- 
out doing  them  any  injury.  Thus  did  we  leave  the  result  in 
the  hands  of  the  Almighty. 


4 


82 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

M'CARTY'S  CASE — JUSTICE  DENIED  US — THE  SUFFERINGS 
OF  THE  SAINTS— THE  BRETHREN  DISARMED— JOSEPH'S 
OPINION  OF  GOVERNOR  BOGGS  —  CORRESPONDENCE 
BETWEEN  THE  STATE  OFFICIALS  AND  OUR  PEOPLE— OUR 
PETITION  TO  THE  GOVENOR. 

THE  brethren  at  Independence  did  their  best  to  follow  the 
advice  given  in  the  governor's  letter.  They  caught  one, 
McCarty,  while  in  the  act  of  breaking  in  the  doors  of  Gil- 
bert and  Co.  \s  store,  and  throwing  the  contents  into  the  street, 
and  went  to  issue  a  warrant  against  him ;  but  Samuel  Weston 
Esq.,  would  not  issue  it,  and  McCarty  was  freed.  He  immedi- 
ately turned  around  and  sued  Brothers  Gilbert,  Phelps,  McLel 
lin  and  others  for  assault  and  .false  imprisonment  and  they 
were  sent  to  jail.  Several  of  the  brethren  then  went  to 
Lexington  to  see  the  circuit  judge,  while  two  others  called  on 
Mr.  Silvers,  who  refused  to  issue  a  warrant,  for  his  craven 
heart  feared  the  mob.  This  he  afterwards  acknowledged. 
The  brethren  who  went  to  Lexington  were  more  successful. 
They  obtained  a  warrant  after  some  delay,  but  by  the  time  they 
reached  Independence  it  was  perfectly  useless,  for  the  whole 
country  was  up  in  arms,  and  all  the  Saints  could  do  was  to 
protect  their  wives,  children  and  themselves  from  utter  cxter. 
mination.  The  mob  declared  that  no  warrant  should  be  served, 
for  they  would  kill  the  man  that  dared  attempt  it  ;  neither 
should  there  be  any  civil  processes  at  law,  for  those  who  dared 
commence  them  should  die.  On  one  occasion  when  the 
brethren  tried  to  issue  a  peace  warrant,  and  the  justice  of 
the  peace  refused,  the  governor's  letter  was  read  to  him  when 

he  replied,  "I  don.t  care  a  d  m  for  that."     Thus  were  the 

courts  of  law  closed  against  us,  and  justice  descended  from 
her  lofty  seat  to  mourn  in  sackcloth  and  ashes. 

But  what  more  could  be  expected?  for  at  the  head  of  the 
mob  were  found  the  judges,  lawyers,  justices  of  peace,  sheriffs 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOtJRNAL. 


and  their  deputies,  constables,  jail  keepers,  and  county 
clerk. 

Every  attempt  made  by  the  brethren  to  obtain  assistance 
enraged  the  mob  to  a  greater  degree,  and  none  could  remain 
in  their  midst  and  feel  that  life  was  safe.  While  Brothers 
Gilbert,  Morely  and  Corvill,  were  being  conducted  back  to 
jail  by  the  deputy  sheriff  after  meeting  with  the  brethren 
and  persuading  them  to  leave  the  county,  a  number 
of  the  mob  overtook  them,  and  although  the  deputy  sheriff 
told  his  name,  and  the  names  of  his  prisoners  and  called  on 
them  in  God's  name  not  to  fire,  yet  two  of  them  raised  their 
guns  and  fired  at  Brother  Gilbert,  the  one  snapping  and  the 
other  missing  fire. 

This  was  caused  by  the  rumor  that  had  reached  Independ- 
ence concerning  the  battle.  It  was  said  that  twenty  of  the 
mob  had  been  killed  and  a  number  wounded,  the  news  flew 
through  the  county  as  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,  and  men  who 
were  peaceable  before,  now  rushed  into  Independence 
determined  to  massacre  the  Saints.  It  was  indeed  a  scene  of 
wild  confusion. 

The  next  day  the  fury  of  the  mob  was  in  no  way  abated  and 
the  Saints  saw  that  their  lives  could  be  saved  only  by  flight ; 
consequently  men,  women  and  chileren  fled  from  their  homes, 
some  in  one  direction  and  some  in  another.  One  large  party 
of  women  and  children,  protected  only  by  six  men  wandered 
into  the  prairie  south,  and  their  tracks  could  be  followed  by  the 
blood  stains  on  the  ground,  the  prairie  grass  had  been  burnt, 
and  the  sharp  stubble  lacerated  their  uncovered  feet,  cutting 
and  wounding  them  in  a  terrible  manner  ;  thus  they  wandered 
about  for  several  days  with  nothing  but  the  broad  canopy  of 
heaven  to  shelter  them.  Some  went  to  the  Missouri  river 
intending  to  cross  over  into  Clay  county,  for  they  had  already 
proven  that  the  people  in  the  adjoining  counties  were  far  from 
being  their  friends.  Thus  homeless,  and  without  means  of 
taking  much  to  sustain  them  did  the  whole  Church  in  Jackson 
county  flee  before  the  mob,  and  at  night  those  who  went  to  the 
river  camped  in  the  rain  which  poured  down  in  torrents  ;  the 
frail  mother,  the  helpless  infant,  the  sick  and  the  dying,  all 
alike  without  the  means  to  shelter   themselves  from  the 


84 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


storm.  One  man  by  the  name  of  Bennett  opened  his  house  to 
a  number  of  women  and  children  wbo  were  making  their  way 
to  the  Missouri. 

While  this  was  going  on,  about  one  hundred  of  the  brethren 
had  volunteered  to  go  to  the  protection  of  their  brethren  in 
Independence.  When  they  had  got  within  one  mile  of  the 
place  they  halted  and  sent  in  to  learn  the  situation  of  the  mob. 
They  found  that  Colonel  Pitcher  had  put  himself  at  the  head 
of  the  mob  and  called  them  the  militia,  expecting  by  this 
stratagem  to  be  able  to  better  carry  out  the  hellish  plans  of 
our  enemies.  Governor  Boggs,  also  gave  the  mob  his  influence, 
and  indeed  it  was  thought  he  was  the  grand  moving  spirit 
through  the  whole  affair. 

As  the  brethren  in  Independence  were  not  in  the  danger 
that  was  reported,  Colonel  Wight  thought  it  best  to  have  his 
men  remain  in  the  woods  around  during  the  day.  By  some 
means  Colonel  Pitcher  heard  of  this  arrangement.  He  was 
both  terrified  and  angry.  He,  however,  sent  to  the  brethren 
and  demanded  their  arms,  saying,  that  it  was  intended  to  dis- 
arm both  parties ;  fifty-one  guns,  one  sword  and  one  pistol  were 
delivered  up  to  him,  for  although  the  brethren  felt  to  resist 
the  mob  to  the  utmost  in  the  defense  of  their  wives  and 
children,  this  demand  being  made  under  the  color  of  law, 
it  was  complied  with.  But  no  sooner  was  this  known  than  the 
mob  broke  forth  from  the  ranks  of  the  pretended  militia  and 
were  bolder  than  ever.  Knowing  that  the  Saints  were  now 
without  arms,  they  rode  through  the  country  in  small  bands 
pillaging  houses,  insulting  women,  whipping  men  and  threaten- 
ing two-fold  vengeance. 

In  the  midst  of  this  terrible  excitement  several  of  the  lead- 
ing Elders  offered  themselves  and  their  lives,  for  their  brethren 
if  that  would  satisfy  and  let  the  rest  remain  in  peace.  The 
answer  was,  "No;  but  even'  one  must  die  for  himself." 

I  must  not  omit  to  mention  one  act  of  cruelty,  which,  if 
possible,  seems  to  surpass  all  others.  In  one  of  the  settle- 
ments were  four  families  of  very  old  men,  infirm  and  very  poor. 
They  seemed  to  think  that  they  would  not  be  molested  and  so 
remained  behind,  but  no  sooner  did  the  mob  learn  of  it,  than 
they  went  to  their  houses,  broke  their  windows  and  doors,  and 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


85 


hurled  great  stones  into  their  rooms  endangering  their  lives; 
thus  were  these  poor  old'men,  and  their  families,  driven  before 
the  ruthless  mob  in  midwinter.  These  men  had  served  in  the 
revolutionary  war,  and  Brother  Jones  had  been  one  of  General 
Washington's  body  guard,  but  this  availed  them  nothing,  for 
they  were  of  the  hated  people.  Thus  were  all  the  Saints 
compelled  to  flee  into  Clay  Cc,  where  the  sympathies  of  the 
people  were  extended  towards  them. 

The  Colesville  branch,  as  usual,  kept  together  and  formed 
a  small  settlement  on  the  Missouri  bottoms,  building  them- 
selves temporary  bouses ;  a  few  other  families  settled  with  us ; 
and  the  Saints  all  around  built  themselves  places  of  shelter 
for  the  Winter.  But  the  scenes  that  were  endured,  at  the 
river  side,  immediately  after  the  flight,  beggars  description. 
Yet  the  Saints  did  not  forget  to  return  thanks  unto  Almighty 
God  for  deliverance  from  the  hands  of  their  vile  enemies  and 
to  seek  His  protecting  care  for  the  future — that  He  would 
soften  the  hearts  of  the  people  to  whom  they  had  fled,  that 
they  might  find  among  them  something  to  sustain  them- 
selves. 

Although  Governor  Boggs  did  not  come  out  and  show  him- 
self openly  in  bis  true  colors  we  have  sufficient  evidence 
that  he  sanctioned  all  the  movements  of  the  mob  and  even 
directed  them.  He  it  was  who  put  in  motion  the  movements 
of  July,  and  continued  his  exertions  until  he  had  accomplished 
all  his  hellish  designs.  As  Brother  J oseph  said,  '  'the  great 
change  that  may  appear  to  some,  in  the  views,  designs  and 
craft  of  this  man,  to  rob  an  innocent  people  of  their  arms  by 
stratagem,  and  leave  more  than  one  thousand  defenseless  men, 
women  and  children,  to  be  driven  from  their  homes,  among 
strangers  in  a  strange  land  is  so  glaringly  exposed  in  the  sequel 
that  all  earth  and  hell  cannot  deny  that  a  baser  knave,  a  greater 
traitor,  and  a  more  wholesale  butcher,  or  murderer  of  man- 
kind ever  went  untried,  unpunished,  or  unhung."  But 
Governor  Dunklin  was  a  gentleman  and  seemed  disposed 
to  do  what  was  right. 

Brothers  Phelps,  Gilbert  and  McLellin  went  into  Clay  Co. 
and  made  affidavit  of  the  outrageous  scenes  in  Jackson  Co;  and 
expressed  the  same  to  the  governor  who  immediately  ordered 


86  SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 

a  court  of  inquiry  to  be  held  in  Clay  county  for  the  purpose 
of  investigating  the  whole  affair,  and  meting  out  justice  to  all, 
and  the  attorney  general  wrote  to  the  counsel  employed  to 
prosecute  the  mob,  advising  our  people  to  organize  themselves 
into  regular  companies  and  then  apply  to  the  governor  for 
weapons  of  defense.  He  was  of  the  opinion  that  the  governor 
would  not  only  furnish  us  arms  and  ammunition,  but  also  troops 
to  assist  us  in  maintaining  our  rights,  if  we  would  only  make 
application  therefor. 

About  the  same  time  Judge  Ryland  also  wrote,  on  the 
authority  of  the  governor,  to  one  of  our  counsel,  saying  among 
other  things  that  he  was  determined  to  investigate  the  causes  of 
the  recent  disturbance  and  "take  steps  to  punish  the  guilty 
and  screen  the  innocent." 

In  reply  to  these  communications  Elder  A.  S.  Gilbert  wrote 
to  the  governor  of  Missouri  as  follows : 

"(CONFIDENTIAL) 

Libertf,  Clay  County, 

Nov.  29th,  1833. 

"Dear  Sir— Yesterday  I  saw  Mr.  Doniphan,  an  attorney  of 
this  place,  who  informed  me  that  he  saw  the  attorney  general, 
Mr.  Wells,  in  Saline  county,  last  Saturday  week  and  that  Mr. 
Wells  had  acquainted  him  with  your  intention  of  ordering  a 
court  of  inquiry  to  be  held  in  Jackson  county,  in  relation  to 
the  late  riotous  proceedings  in  that  county.  Mr.  Doniphan  is 
of  the  opinion  from  the  conversation  he  had  with  Mr.  Wells,  that 
said  order  will  be  suspended  till  a  communication  is  received 
from  our  people,  or  their  counsel.  This  is  therefore  to 
acquaint  your  excellency,  that  most  of  the  heads  of  our 
Church  had  an  interview  yesterday  on  the  subject  of  an 
Immediate  court  of  inquiry  to  be  held  in  Jackson  county,  and 
by  their  request  to  me,  I  hasten  to  lay  before  your  excellency 
serious  difficulties  attending  our  people  on  an  immediate  court 
of  inquiry  being  called.  . . 

"Our  Church  was  at  this  time  scattered  m  every  direction ; 
some  in  the  new  county  of  Van  Buren;  a  part  in  this  county, 
and  a  part  in  La  Fayette  and  Ray  counties.  Some  of  our 
principal  witnesses  would  be  women  and  children,  and  while 
the  rage  of  the  mob  continues,  it  would  be  impossible  to 
gather  them  in  safety  at  Independence,  and  that  your  excel- 
lency may  know  of  the  unabated  fury  with  which  the  last 
remnant  of  our  people  remaining  in  that  county  are  pursued 
at  this  time,  I  here  state  that  a  few  families,  perhaps  fifteen  or 


NEWEL  KNIGHTS  JOURNAL.  87 

twenty,  who  settled  themselves  more  than  two  years  ago  on 
the  prairie,  about  fifteen  miles  from  the  county  seat  of  Jack- 
son county,  had  hoped  from  the  obscurity  of  their  location, 
that  they  might  escape  the  vengeance  of  the  enemy  through 
the  Winter,  consequently  they  remained  on  their  plantations, 
receiving  occasionally,  a  few  individual  threats,  till  last  Sunday, 
when  a  "mob  made  their  appearance  among  them  ;  some  with 
pistols  cocked  and  presented  to  their  breasts,  commanding 
them  to  leave  the  county  in  three  days,  or  they  would  tear 
their  houses  down  over  their  heads,  etc. 

"Two  -expresses  arrived  here  from  said  neighborhood  last 
Monday  morning,  for  advice  and  the  council  advised  their 
speedy  removal  for  the  preservation  of  life,  and  their  personal 
effects.  I  suppose  these  families  will  be  out  of  the  county  of 
Jackson  this  week.  In  this  distressed  situation,  in  behalf  of 
my  brethren,  I  pray  your  excellency  to  await  a  futher  com- 
munication which  will  soon  follow  this,  setting  forth  among 
other  things  the  importance  oL  our  people  being  restored  to 
their  possessions,  that  they  may  have  an  equal  chance  with 
their  enemies  in  producing  important  testimony  before  the 
court,  which  the  enemy  are  now  determined  to  deprive  them 
of.  Trustins  that  your  excellency  will  perceive  the  agitation 
and  consternation  that  must  necessarily  prevail  among  most  of 
our  people  at  this  day,  from  the  unparalleled  usage  they  have 
received  and  many  of  them  wandering  at  this  time  distitute  of 
shelter. 

An  immediate  court  of  enquiry  called  while  our  people  are 
thus  situated,  would  give  our  enemies  a  decided  advantage  in 
point  of  testimony,  while  they  are  in  possession  of  their  own 
homes,  and  ours  also ;  with  no  enemy  in  the  county  to  molest 
or  make  them  afraid. 

''Very  Respectfully, 

Your  Obedient  Servant, 

A.  S.  Gilbert. 

"To  his  Excellency  Daniel  Dunklin,  Jefferson  City,  Mis 
souri." 

"I  have  seen  and  read  the  above  letter,  and  on  reflection,  I 
concur  entirely  in  the  opinion  therein  expressed.  I  also  think 
that  at  the  next  regular  term  of  the  court,  an  examination  of 
the  criminal  matter  cannot  be  gone  into,  without  a  guard  for 
the  court  and  witnesses. 

(Signed.)  Amos  Reese." 

Those  mentioned  in  this  letter  as  having  been  threatened  on 
Sunday  the  24th,  fled  into  Clay  county,  and  encamped  on  the 


88  SCRAPS  OP  BIOGRAPHY. 

Missouri  river.  There  were  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
women  and  children. 

We  had  sent  reports  of  their  proceedings  to  Brother  Joseph 
Smith  and  the  brethren  in  Kirtland,  but  it  appears  that  in 
some  particulars  they  did  not  agree,  being  given  by  different 
persons,  so  Brother  Joseph  wrote  seeking  correct  information, 
and  for  documents.  He  also  sent  comforting  news  to  the 
Saints  reminding  all  that  it  is  only  through  great  tribulation, 
that  the  blessings  are  received. 

On  the  6th  of  December,  a  petition  and  letter  were  sent  to 
Governor  Dunklin  asking  for  aid  and  protection.  We  also 
asked  that  a  court  of  enquiry  might  be  established  to  investi- 
gate the  whole  matter  and  bring  the  offenders  and  law-breakers 
to  justice.  We  thus  showed  that  we  intended  to  maintain  our 
rights  to  our  inheritances,  so  that  if  we  should  be  deprived  of 
them  for  any  length  of  time,  the  responsibility  would  not  rest 
upon  our  shoulders. 

The  season  was  very  severe  and  many  persons  suffered  for 
the  necessaries  of  life,  but  we  were  not  forgotten  by  God  nor 
by  our  co-religionists  in  Kirtland,  and  the  sympathies  of  the 
Saints  were  like  balm  to  our  wounds. 

We  were  soon  pained  with  news  that  reached  us  from  Van 
Buren  county.  It  seems  that  in  the  general  flight  of  the 
Saints  some  few  families  went  south  into  Van  Buren  county 
and  commenced  to  open  and  improve  farms,  build  houses,  etc. 
They  had  taken  their  Winter's  provisions  with  them  and 
thought  to  make  themselves  homes,  but  the  citizens  rose  up 
and  without  scarcely  giving  warning  commenced  to  destroy  all 
their  stock  and  goods,  and  these  Saints  once  more  had  to  flee 
for  their  lives,  and  seek  refuge  among  their  brethren,  who  also 
were  exiles. 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


89 


CHAPTER  X. 

court  in  jackson  county — officers  awed  by  a  mob — 
zion's  camp — mob  meeting — ua  man  stabbed" — 
Campbell's  horrible  fate— god  interposes  in 
behalf  of  zion's  camp— the  cholera — i  go  to 
kirtland  -my    labors    there — return    to  clay 

COUNTY. 

THE  year  1 834  opened  upon  the  Church,  in  Missouri,  with 
no  nattering  prospects.  The  Saints  were  scattered  in 
every  direction,  awaiting  the  action  of  the  government  and 
courts  to  settle  their  difficulties  with  Jackson  Co.  On  the 
1st  of  January  a  conference  was  held,  Bishop  Partridge  pre- 
siding, when  everything  possible  was  done  to  comfort  the 
hearts  of  the  distressed,  and  to  help  them  in  their  "afflic- 
tions. 

On  the  9th  Brother  Gilbert  wrote  again  to  Governor  Dunk- 
lin, explaining  the  wishes  and  condition  of  the  Saints,  and 
suggested  that  the  principal  leaders  of  the  Jackson  county 
mob  be  bought  out,  as  he  thought  it  would  help  to  bring 
about  peace  and  give  the  Saints  re-possession  of  their  lands, 
house,  and  property,  without  the  intervention  of  an  armed 
force. 

The  governor  answered  this  communication  in  a  very  gentle- 
manly manner,  and  also  gave  his  views  in  regard  to  the  best 
method  to  pursue  under  the  unpleasant  circumstances.  In 
accordance  with  his  instructions  Judge  Ryland  proceeded  to 
hold  court  in  Jackson  county,  and  as  it  was  imprudent  to  call 
the  witnesses,  or  proceed  with  the  investigation,  without  a 
sufficient  guard,  Captain  Atchinson  was  called  on  for  his  com- 
pany, the  "Liberty  Blues,"  to  do  duty.  The  brethren  who  were 
subpiened  were  met  on  the  banks  of  the  Missouri  by  this  com- 
pany and  guarded  to  about  a  mile  from  Independence  where 
they  camped  for  the  night.  So  great  was  the  excitement  in 
Jackson  county,  that  it  was  thought  necessary  to  have,  more 


90 


SCRAPS  OP  BIOGRAPHY. 


men,  and  an  order,  or  requisition,  was  made  on  Col.  Allen  for 
two  hundred  more.  The  mob  made  a  bold  stand,  and  began 
to  collect  in  bodies,  pledging  themselves  to  the  death,  that  no 
arrests  should  be  made,  but  tbat  they  would  defend  each  other 
to  the  last.  On  the  24th  of  February,  the  brethren,  and  their 
military  escort  went  into  Independence  and  were  quartered 
in  the  old  store  of  S.  Flomuoy,  where  they  were  visited  by  the 
attorney  general  and  the  district  attorney,  and  told  that  all 
hope  of  a  criminal  prosecution  was  at  an  end.  Thus  were  the 
officers  of  the  civil  law,  even  when  supported  by  the  military, 
awed  by  a  mob,  and  the  great  promises  of  the  governor  and 
Judge  Rylaud  fell  to  the  ground,  and  the  strong  arm  of  justice 
became  weak  and  fell  powerless  to  her  side. 

Our  witnesses  were  cautioned  not  to  go  before  the  grand 
jury,  it  being  intimated  that  they  might  be  in  danger.  Thus 
did  these  two  men,  with  the  circuit  judge  acknowledge  that 
mob  violence  was  superior,  in  Missouri,  to  both  the  civil  and 
the  military  powers;  for  it  was  not  long  before  Captain 
Atchinson  received  word  from  Judge  Ryland  that  neither  he 
nor  his  men  were  wanted  any  longer  in  Independence,  and  the 
witnesses  were  marched  off  to  the  tune  of  "Yankee  Doodle," 
to  carry  to  their  brethren  the  news  that  justice  had  taken  her 
flight  before  the  fury  of  the  rabble,  and  her  ministers  had  not 
power  to  .maintain  her  rights.  They  must  now  iook  to  a 
higher  power  for  redress,  or  bear  their  wrongs  as  best  they 
can. 

The  mob  continued  their  depredations  wherever  they  could 
find  an  opportunity,  not  sparing  the  aged  nor  the  weak,  but 
abutting  all  alike.  Father  Lindsay  is  mentioned  aa  being 
driven  from  his  home,  and  then  his  house  pulled  down, 
and  its  contents  destroyed  or  stolen.  • 

Having  seen  that  through  the  imbecility  of  the  law,  or  the 
secret  connivance  of  its  administrators,  there  was  no  possible 
chance  of  obtaining  redress,  and  being  protected  in  our  rights, 
it  was  next  decided  upon  to  petition  the  president  of  the 
United  States,  in  accordance  with  the  revelation  given  to  that 
effect.  An  able  document  was  drawn  up  and  sent  to  that 
officer,  but  it  availed  us  nothing.  We  also  wrote  to  the  gov- 
ernor, asking  him  to  issue  an  order  to  have  our  weapons,  of 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


91 


which  we  had  heen  deprived  in  November  last,  restored 
to  us.  But,  notwithstanding  the  orders  of  the  governor  to 
Colonels  Lucas  and  Pitcher,  we  never  received  our  arms,  but 
they  were  taken  and  distributed  among  the  mob. 

Our  brethren  in  Kirtland,  on  hearing  of  our  sufferings,  did 
all  in  their  power  to  help  us ;  and  immediately  on  receiving 
the  revelation  concerning  the  redemption  of  Zion,  began  to 
gather  together  young  men  and  middle  aged  men  to  come  to 
our  relief. 

We  received  the  news  of  the  coming  of  these  brethren  with 
much  joy  and  thankfulness. 

When  the  news  got  abroad  of  the  movement,  t>he  mob  once 
more  became  infuriated.  They  got  together  in  large  bodies, 
armed  and  provided  themselves  with  cannon.  Hundreds  from 
the  surrounding  counties  volunteered  to  help  them  in  case 
Governor  Dunklin  should  attempt  to  restore  us  to  our  homes, 
which  he  had  said  he  would  do  as  soon  as  enough  of  our 
brethren  came  together  to  enable  us  to  protect  ourselves  in 
them. 

In  the  midst  of  this  intense  excitement,  Judge  Ryland 
called  a  meeting  of  the  brethren,  citizens,  and  the  Jackson 
county  mob,  with  a  view  of  an  amicable  adjustment,  as  be  said, 
of  our  difficulties. 

On  Monday,  June  16th,  about  one  thousand  citizens  ,o( 
Clay  county,  and  a  few  from  Jackson  county,  assembled  in  the 
court-house,  in  Liberty,  according  to  appointment.  Judge 
Turnham  was  appointed  moderator,  or  chairman. 

Judge  Ryland  used  his  best  endeavors  to  allay  the  angry 
feelings  of  the  mob,  and  to  effect  an  adjustment  of  our  diffi- 
culties in  his  own  way,  but  not  to  our  satisfaction. 

A  document  from  our  opponents  was  introduced  by  war 
speeches  by  S.  C.  Owens  and  Rev.  M.  Riley,  who,  even  in 
this  meeting,  advocated  the  idea  of  driving  us  from  Clay  Co. 
But  Gen.  Doniphan  and  Judge  Turnham  defended  the  cause 
of  right,  begging  that  the  people  of  that  county  would  not 
disgrace  themselves  in  the  manner  Jackson  county  had  done; 
but  let  the  "Mormons"  remain  in  their  midst  and  enjoy  equal 
rights  with  them,  "for,"  he  said,  "they  are  good  citizens,  and 
even  better  than  many  of  the  old  settlers. ' ' 


92 


SCRAPS  OP  BIOGRAPHY. 


Gen.  Doniphan  said :  "The  Mormons  have  armed  them- 
selves, and  if  they  don't  fight  they  are  cowards.  I  love  to  hear 
that  they  have  brethren  coming  to  their  assistance,  greater 
love  can  no  man  show,  than  he,  who  lays  down  his  life  for  his 
brethren. ' ' 

But  such  was  the  excitement  cavtsed  by  this  discussion  that 
a  row  and  fight  appeared  certain,  and  many  seemed  to  be  pre- 
paring for  it  all  over  the  room.  The  confusion  was  increasing, 
when  sombody  called  into  the  room,  "A  man  stabbed!"  s 

There  was  a  sudden  rush  to  the  spot,  when  it  was  found 
that  a  quarrel  between  two  Missourians  had  ended  in  one  of 
them  being  severely  wounded.  This  broke  up  the  meeting 
and  gave  the  brethren  a  chance  to  state  in  writing  why  they 
could  not  accept  the  propositions  offered. 

At  the  meeting  a  report  was  circulated  that  an  army  of  our 
brethren  was  coming  to  help  us,  and  to  go  into  Jackson  county 
by  force.  All  kinds  of  strange  stories  were  set  afloat,  and  a 
small  party,  with  Owens  and  Campbell  at  their  head,  went 
directly  to  Independence  to  collect  an  army  to  go  and  prevent 
their  entering  Clay  county.  Campbell  swore,  while  adjusting 
his  pistols  in  the  holsters,  "The  eagles  and  turkey  buzzards 
shall  eat  my  flesh  if  I  do  not  fix  Joe  Smith  and  his  army,  so 
that  their  skins  will  not  hold  shucks,  before  two  days  are 
past." 

They  sent  word  to  Richmond,  Ray  county,  and  had  their 
agents  working  in  Clay  couuty,  intending  to  raise  force  suffi- 
cient to  annihilate  our  brethren.  About  two  hundred  volun- 
teered in  Jackson,  seventy  in  Clay,  and  fifty  in  Ray  counties, 
and  were  to  form  a  junction  near  Fishing  river  ford.  Their 
plans  were  all  laid,  as  they  thought,  to  enable  them  to  accomp- 
lish their  purpose,  but  the  Lord  interposed  His  strong  arm, 
for  the  preservation  of  our  brethren,  and  while  the  mob  were 
crossing  the  river  to  the  north  side,  a  squall  met  them  on  their 
return  so  that  they  were  delayed  ;  some  attempted  to  cross  the 
river  after  dusk,  so  great  was  their  anxiety  to  be  at  their 
hellish  work,  but  when  near  the  middle  of  the  river  the  boat 
sunk,  and  seven  out  of  twelve  men  were  drowned ;  among 
them  was  James  Campbell,  who  had  made  use  of  such  a  ter- 
rible oath  in  the  day.  He  floated  down  the  river,  and,  lodging 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


93 


on  some  drift  wood,  his  flesh  was  eaten  by  the  eagles  and 
turkey  buzzards;  thereby  fulfilling  his  oath,  and  feeling  the 
vengeance  of  an  offended  God.  S.  C.  Owens  came  near  being 
drowned,  and  was  glad  enough  the  next  morning  to  make  his 
way  to  Independence.  Those  who  had  crossed  the  river  the 
day  before,  returned  to  join  their  companions  in  the  morning, 
and  felt  glad  that  they  had  escaped  with  their  lives.  Imme- 
diately around  our  brethren  was  the  protecting  hand  of  the 
Almighty,  and  at  the  approach  of  the  mob  from  Ray  county, 
a  tremendous  haii  and  thunder  storm  raged,  pelting  them 
severely  even  to  the  cutting  of  holes  in  their  hats;  their  ammu- 
nition was  perfectly  soaked,  and  they  were  glad  enough  to  get 
back  home.  During  this  time  scarcely  any  hail  fell  in  the 
camp  of  the  brethren,  but  all  around  them  could  be  seen  the 
work  of  destruction — limbs  of  trees  were  cut  off  by  the  storm, 
and  trees  themselves  were  twisted  like  withes. 

In  the  morning  Big  Fishing  river  had  raised  forty  feet,  and 
our  enemies  said  that  Little  Fishing  river  raised  thirty 
feet  in  thirty  minutes.  Thus  were  our  brethren  preserved 
from  their  enemies. 

On  the  night  of  the  28th  the  cholera,  of  which  the  brethren 
had  been  warned  by  the  servant  of  God,  broke  out  in  Zion's 
camp.  About  twelve  o'clock  cries  and  groans  were  heard  from 
those  who  had  been  taken  sick,  and  they  fell  before  the  destroyer. 
So  violent  were  the  attacks  that  in  some  instances  those  who 
were  on  guard,  fell  with  their  guns  in  their  hands;  and  it  was 
only  by  great  exertion  that  we  were  able  to  take  care  of  the 
sick  and  dying.  In  the  morning  the  camp  was  divided  into 
small  bands  and  dispersed  among  the  brethren. 

Out  of  sixty-eight  taken  by  the  disease,  thirteen  died, 
among  whom  was  A.  S.  Gilbert.  The  rest  recovered,  for  an 
effectual  remedy  was  discovered,  namely,  to  dip  the  patient  in 
cold  water,  or  pour  it  copiously  upon  him.  This  stopped  the 
cramp,  purging  and  vomiting.  Whenever  this  remedy  was 
adopted  in  season  it  did  not  fail  to  cure.  We  were  indeed  sorry 
to  see  our  brethren  who  had  come  so  far — one  thousand  miles 
— to  our  relief  thus  fall  before  the  hand  of  the  destroyer. 

The  Summer  passed  without  anything  special  transpiring. 
The  inhabitants  generally  manifested  a  kind  feeling  towards 


94 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


the  Saints ;  yet,  owing  to  the  exposure  of  the  previous  winter 
and  the  hunger  and  privation,  which  the  brethren  had  suffered, 
many  of  them  were  afflicted  with  fever  and  auge. 

I  began  to  make  preparation  to  go  on  my  appointed  mission 
to  Kirtland ;  but  it  seemed  as  if  a  struggle  had  commenced. 
Both  my  wife  and  myself  took  the  fever  and  ague,  also  my 
aunt,  Esther  Culver;  she  was  an  aged  woman,  whose  husband 
had  died  previous  to  our  exile  from  Jackson  count}',  and  whom 
I  had  taken  into  my  family  as  she  had  no  child  to  care  for 
her. 

On  the  15th  of  September,  Sally,  my  wife,  died;  truly  she 
died  a  martyr  to  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  and  Savior,  Jesus 
Christ.  She  was  of  a  frail  constitution,  and  the  hardships  and 
privations  she  had  to  endure  were  more  than  she  could  sur- 
vive. A  short  time  previously  she  had  given  birth  to  a  son, 
which  had  also  died. 

My  health  continued  poor,  so  that  I  could  do  but  little  work 
until  the  time  had  arrived  for  the  Elders,  who  had  been  called 
to  go  to  Kirtland,  to  start.  I  made  the  best  arrangements  I 
could  for  the  care  of  my  little  son  Samuel  and  aged  aunt ;  and 
in  company  with  a  number  of  my  brethren,  got  on  board  some 
canoes,  which  we  had  got  for  the  purpose,  and  floated  down 
the  Missouri  river.  We  traveled  on  the  river  by  day,  and  at 
night  camped  on  its  shore.  I  was  hardly  able  to  walk  when 
I  started  on  this  journey  but  my  strength  gradually  iucreased. 
When  we  had  got  far  enough  from  those  who  were  so  bitterly 
prejudiced  against  the  gospel,  that  we  could  get  a  hearing, 
we  left  our  canoes  and  parted,  traveling  two  by  two  preaching 
the  gospel  to  those  who  would  listen  to  us. 

I  arrived  in  safety  in  Kirtland,  in  the  Spring  of  1835,  and 
commenced  labor  on  the  temple,  where  I  continued  to 
work  until  it  was  finished,  and  ready  for  the  endowments. 

On  the  24th  of  November  I  was  united  in  the  holy  bonds 
matrimony  with  Lydia  Goldthwait  by  the  Prophet  Joseph, 
this  being  the  first  marriage  ceremony  that  he  ever  per- 
formed. 

I  remained  in  Kirtland  until  the  temple  was  finished  and 
dedicated.  I  then  received  my  anointings,  and  was  also  a  wit- 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOTTRNAL. 


95 


ness  to  the  great  manifestations  of  God's  power  in  that 
sacred  edifice. 

On  Thursday,  April  7th,  183fi,  all  things  being  ready,  Lydia 
and  I  started  for  Clay  county.  Brother  Hyrum  Smith  let  me 
have  his  horses  to  go  to  Liverpool,  on  the  Ohio  river,  where 
we  were  intending  to  take  passage  on  a  steamer  for  our  desti- 
nation, the  roads  were  very  muddy.  On  the  9th  in  the 
afternoon  it  rained  very  hard,  and  we  stopped,  before  night, 
at  a  sectarian  priest's,  who  treated  us  with  great  politeness 
until  in  the  evening  while  we  were  sitting  with  the  family  in 
the  parlor,  in  the  course  of  conversation  it  was  mentioned  that 
we  were  "Mormons."  The  family  immediately  left  the  room, 
and  the  reverend  gentleman  politely  informed  us,  that  if  it 
had  not  been  raining  so  very  heavily,  he  would  have  at  once 
put  us  out  of  the  house.  As  it  was  we  were  introduced  into 
the  kitchen,  where  we  spent  the  night,  and  early  the  next 
morning  I  got  my  horses  in  readiness,  paid  my  bill,  and  bade 
this  sectarian  host  adieu.  We  traveled  several  miles,  when 
we  came  to  a  house,  were  we  got  breakfast,  and  were  kindly 
treated.  Soon  after  resuming  our  journey  we  found  ourselves 
in  deep  water,  for  the  road  was  flooded  for  a  long  distance,  and 
it  was  with  difficulty  that  I  could  pick  out  the  way ;  as  I 
attempted  to  cross  a  bridge  the  logs  rolled  from  under  the 
horses,  and  I  was  barely  able  to  rescue  them  by  detaching 
them  from  the  wagon.  I  then  got  Lydia  on  one  of  the  horses 
and  took  her  across  to  dry  land,  but  had  to  leave  the  wagon 
for  the  night. 

The  water  had  abated  by  the  11th,  and  we  continued  our 
journey  to  Liverpool,  Ohio,  where  we  were  compelled  to 
remain  a  few  days.  We  finally  arrived  in  Clay  Co.  on  the 
6th  of  May. 


96 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


SAINTS  MOVE  TO  CALDWELL  COUNTY — PERSECUTIONS  BEGIN 
ANEW — CAPTAIN  BOG  ART  AND  HIS  MOB — THE  BATTLE — 
HAWN'S  MILL  M  ASSACRE — COLONEL  HINKLE'S  TREACHERY 
— THE  BRETHREN  IMPRISONED. 

VI  THEN  the  Saints  were  driven  from  Jackson  county,  the 


*  »  people  of  Clay  county  kindly  permitted  as  an  asylum  in 
their  midst  and  many  individual  acts  of  kindness  might  be 
recorded  in  their  favor ;  hut  the  more  turhulent  spirits  among 
them  began  to  stir  up  anger  against  us,  and  the  smouldering 
embers  of  persecution  began  to  show  signs  of  blazing  forth 
again.  However,  there  were  many  gentlemen  who  were 
desirous  of  peace,  and  who  tried  to  sooth  and  quell  the  spirit 
ol  mobocracy. 

During  June  and  July,  1836,  meetings  were  held  by  our 
people  as  well  as  by  those  who  desired  our  removal  to  some 
other  locality,  and  it  was  finally  decided,  after  due  delibera- 
tion, that  the  Saints  should  again  move.  This  time  the  place 
of  refuge  chosen  was  Caldwell  Co. ,  and  immediately  the  exodus 
began. 

My  personal  affairs  were  such  that  1  could  not  move  with 
the  majority  of  the  Saints  but  was  compelled  to  remain  uutil 
February,  1S38,  when  1  was  able  to  leave  Clay  Co.  entirely 
free  of  debt,  and  with  a  little  means  on  hand.  I  felt  much 
gratified,  however,  at  being  able  to  greet  the  Prophet  Joseph, 
and  several  other  brethren,  who  arrived  in  Far  West  with 
their  families  on  the  14th  of  March  following  my  arrival. 

These  brethren  had  come  from  Kirtland  to  shelter  them- 
selves from  the  heavy  storm  of  persecution  that  had  set  in 
upon  them  there,  and  which  was  started  by  apostates.  The 
mob  had  followed  them  on  the  road,  armed,  and  with  murder 
in  their  hearts.  Frequently  the  brethren  had  to  hide  them- 
selves in  their  wagons,  their  pursuers  were  so  close  upon  them ; 
and  on  two  or  three  occasions  they  were  together  in  the  same 


NEWEL  KNIOHT's  JOURNAL.  97 
bouse.  Once  they  remained  all  night  in  the  same  building 
with  only  a  partition  between  thein,  and  the  oaths  and  threats 
of  their  enemies  could  be  distinctly  heard.  Late  in  the  evening 
these  fiends  went  iuto  the  room  where  the  brethren  were  and 
examined  them,  but  although  they  were  very  well  acquainted 
with  the  brethren,  they  decided  it  was  not  them. 

The  Saints  were  not,  however,  destined  .to  remain  long  in 
peace  in  Caldwell  county.  Their  enemies  who  lived  in  the 
adjoining  counties  could  not  bear  the  idea  of  the  "Mormons" 
becoming  prosperous  and  they  therefore  began  to  arouse 
public  indignation  against  them.  Every  unjust  act  of  which 
wicked  men  could  conceive  was  perpetrated  against  us  in  the 
vain  hope  that  we  would  retaliate  on  our  opposers,  and  thereby 
afford  an  excuse  for  extermination.  But  we  calmly  sub- 
mitted to  the  numerous  indignities  heaped  upon  us,  feeling  that 
it  was  better  to  suffer  wrong  than  to  do  wrong.  Our  people 
made  many  concessions  to  the  mob  in  the  hope  of  pacifying 
them,  but  it  was  useless. 

In  this  instance,  as  in  the  Jackson  county  mobbings,  the 
principal  instigators  were  priests  of  various  denominations. 
On  the  24th  of  October,  Captain  Bogart,  a  Methodist  priest, 
marched  a  company  of  men  towards  Far  West  with  the  avowed 
intention,  to  use  his  language,  of  giving  our  city  "thunder 
and  lightning"  before  noon  of  the  next  day.  On  receipt  of 
'this  information  from  Brother  Parson,  who  had  watched  the 
movements  of  Bogart,  and  seen  him  camp  on  Crooked  river, 
a  company  of  seventy-five  vokinteers  went  out  to  disperse  the 
mob,  and  retake  three  prisoners,  whom  the  mob  had  kidnapped 
from  their  homes,  and  to  prevent  the  descent  upon  Far  West. 

On  the  following  morning  about  daylight  sixty  of  the 
brethren  reached  the  ford  on  the  Crooked  river,  and  dismount- 
ing their  horses  left  them  in  charge  of  a  few  brethren,  and 
then  went  to  look  for  the  encampment.  The  enemy  watched 
the  approach  of  the  brethren,  and  greeted  them  with  a  round 
of  musketry.  As  soon  as  the  brethren  saw  the  positiou  of 
the  enemy  Captain  David  W.  Patten  ordered  a  charge,  and 
the  two  parties  engaged  in  a  hand  to  hand  fight,  when  the 
enemy  retreated,  and  while  pursuing  them  Captain  Patten 
was  mortally  wounded,  two  or  three  of  the  brethren  were 

4* 


9^ 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


killed,  and  Bogart  must  have  lost  quite  a  number  although 
he  only  reported  one. 

The  report  of  this  battle  spread  through  the  country  and 
created  quite  an  excitement.  Rumors  were  afloat  that  Bogart's 
company  had  been  massacred,  and  the  whole  country  was  in 
commotion.  This  was  followed  on  the  27th  by  the  infamous 
exterminating  order  of  Governor  Boggs.  Before  sufficient 
force  could  be  collected  to  carry  out  Gov.  Bogg's  instructions, 
a  party  of  men  who  had  collected  from  Daviess,  Bay,  Living- 
ston, Carroll,  and  Chariton  counties,  led  by  some  of  the  prin- 
cipal men  of  those  places,  made  a  descent  upon  Hawn's  Mill, 
where  a  company  of  our  brethren  and  sisters  were  camped. 
The  enemy  numbered  two  hundred  and  forty  mounted  men. 
Immediately  on  riding  up  they  poured  a  volley  from  a  hun- 
dred guns  into  our  little  band  who  had  principally  taken  refuge 
in  the  blacksmith  shop.  The  massacre  became  general,  and 
but  few  escaped  the  fury  of  those  inhuman  wretches.  Boys,  eight, 
nine,  and  twelve  years  old  were  murdered  even  while  begging 
for  mercy,  and  a  young  lady,  while  fleeing  from  the  mob,  was 
shot  through  the  hand,  and  fell,  fainting  over  a  log,  into 
which  her  would-be  murderers  lodged  about  twenty  balls. 

The  mob  now  grew  bolder  and  bolder,  and  committed  depre- 
dations upon  the  settlements  in  Caldwell  and  Daviess  counties, 
so  that  our  people  had  to  flee  into  Far  West  from  all  quarters 
to  save  themselves.  Many  could  not  get  into  houses,  and  had 
to  take  shelter  in  wagons,  tents,  and  under  bed-clothes,  and 
while  in  this  situation  we  had  a  severe  snow  storm,  which 
rendered  their  suffeiings  intense. 

On  the  29th,  the  news  reached  the  city  that  a  large  number  of 
troops  had  advanced  into  our  county,  and  committed  great  depre- 
dations. It  was  thought  advisable  to  send  out  a  company  of 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  to  ascertain  the  situation  of 
affairs.  On  the  30th,  these  troops  showed  themselves  before 
the  city,  and  immediately  the  brethren  flew  to  arms,  with 
the  determination  to  defend  their  wives  and  children  to  the 
last  extremity.  The  troops  withdrew  to  about  a  mile  from 
the  town  and  camped,  Those  who  had  been  sent  out  were  on 
the  other  side  of  the  troops  but  came  into  the  city  about  sun- 
down, in  two  parties.    These  brethren  without  going  to  their 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


99 


homes  joined  the  ranks  of  the  brethren,  and  assisted  to  barri- 
cade and  fortify  the  town. 

A  white  flag  was  sent  by  each  party,  but  judge  our  surprise, 
when  on  enquiring  their  designs,  our  flag-bearer  was  informed 
that  they  wanted  three  men  out  of  our  city,  and  then  they 
designed  to  massacre  the  rest. 

The  day  following  a  flag  was  sent  by  the  enemy,  and  some 
of  our  brethren  went  and  learned  that  they  were  commissioned 
by  the  chief  executive,  and  that  their  commission  authorized 
them  to  exterminate  the  Mormons  en  masse,  and  they  had  three 
thousand  troops  to  carry  these  orders  into  effect. 

Col.  Hinkle  went  out  to  meet  a  flag  of  truce  and  secretly 
made  arrangements  to  deliver  up  the  Church  leaders  to  be 
tried  and  punished ;  to  have  the  property  of  the  Saints 
delivered  over  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  expedition  and  the 
damage  done  to  them,  and  arranged  that  the  Saints  should  leave 
the  state,  and  tbeir  arms  should  be  delivered  up  to  the  enemy. 

In  the  evening  the  first  step  in  this  base  treachery  was 
taken.  Col.  Hinkle  represented  to  Brother  Joseph  and  others 
that  the  officers  of  the  militia  desired  an  interview  in  the  hope 
that  the  matter  might  be  settled  without  carrying  out  the 
exterminating  order.  They  complied  with  the  request,  and 
were  delivered  up  to  the  mob  by  Hinkle,  and  claimed  as  pris- 
oners of  war.  They  were  put  into  a  small  hollow  square,  and 
strongly  guarded  ;  and  the  enemy  set  up  a  most  horrid  yell, 
and  continued  it  for  hours ;  the  noise  was  past  description, 
and  had  there  been  ten  thousand  wolves  yelling  for  their  prey 
it  would  not  have  been  worse. 

On  the  morning  of  November  1st,  Hinkle  took  another  step 
to  carry  out  his  nefarious  designs.  The  bugle  sounded  for 
the  brethren  to  assemble,  armed  and  equipped.  Every  man 
went  out  well  armed  and  was  paraded  and  delivered  over  to 
the  enemy.  The  brethren  were  surrounded  and  required  to 
surrender  their  arms,  and  were  then  guarded  all  day  while  the 
rapacious  soldiery  went  from  house  to  house,  plundering,  pil- 
laging, and  destroying,  and  even  driving  many  helpless  women 
and  children  from  their  homes,  and  committing  deeds  even 
worse  than  these  in  some  instances. 


100 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


A  court  martial  was  held  by  the  officers  and  priests,  and 
without  being  heard  in  their  own  defense,  the  brethren  were 
sentenced  to  be  shot  on  Friday  morning  on  the  public  square 
in  Far  West,  in  the  presence  of  their  wives  and  families.  At 
this  imprecedented  action  General  Doniphan  objected,  saying 
he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  such  cold-blooded  actions, 
and  he  would  draw  off  his  brigade  from  the  army.  This  prob- 
ably saved  the  lives  of  the  prisoners,  as  the  sentence  was 
changed  and  the  prisoners  were  taken  to  Independence, 
Jackson  county. 

The  designs  of  the  enemy  were,  without  doubt,  to  destroy 
the  brethren  when  they  arrived  there,  but  the  Lord  did  not 
suffer  it,  for  their  work  was  not  yet  finished.  They  were 
thrust  into  prison  and  held  until  a  demand  was  made  by 
General  Clark  to  have  them  forwarded  to  Richmond,  where 
they  underwent  a  mock  trial  and  were  remanded  to  Liberty 
jail  to  await  a  further  investigation. 

On  November  6th,  General  Clark  paraded  the  brethren  at 
Far  West  and  delivered  a  most  insulting  speech,  requiring  the 
fulfillment  of  Col.  Hinkle's  stipulations  in  full,  and  telling  us  to 
get  out  of  the  state  as  quickly  as  possible  ;  also  that  we  need 
not  look  to  see  our  prophet  or  his  brethren  any  more  who  were 
in  the  hands  of  the  militia,  "for,"  said  he,  "their  fate  is 
fixed,  their  die  is  cast,  their  doom  is  sealed." 

Although  our  arms  had  been  taken  from  us  and  treaties  made 
that  we  should  remain  in  peace  until  the  Spring,  yet  small 
parties  of  armed  men,  were  continually  making  incursions  into 
Caldwell  county,  insulting  our  women,  driving  off  our  stock, 
and  plundering  wherever  they  could  get  a  chance.  Even  life 
was  not  held  sacred,  and  Brothers  Tanner  and  Carey  were 
grossly  misused  while  prisoners,  the  latter  having  his 
brains  dashed  out  with  a  gun. 

Our  persecutions  did  not  abate  in  the  least  and  it  seemed  as 
though  all  hell  was  aroused  to  do  us  injury.  The  brethren 
confined  in  Liberty  jail  after  being  subjected  to  the  most  terri- 
ble indignities  during  their  six  month's  imprisonment,  finally 
succeeded  in  making  their  escape  and  soon  joined  the  body  of 
the  Saints. 


NEWEL  KNIGHT'S  JOURNAL. 


101 


CHAPTER  XII. 

I  MOVE  TO  COMMERCE— NO  SAFETY  FOR  THE  SAINTS — JOHN 

c.  Bennett's  wickedness— threats  of  the  mob— we 

START  FOR  THE  WEST— DEATn  OF  THE  AUTHOR 

AGAIN  I  prepared  to  leave  my  home  and  with  my  family 
gather  to  Commerce,  which  was  the  place  that  had  been 
chosen  for  the  future  location  of  the  Saints.  Some  few  families 
had  already  gone  there  and  a  nucleus  of  a  "Mormon"  town 
had  been  formed. 

I  soon  selected  a  piece  of  ground  and  commenced  to  build  a 
home  for  myself,  but  before  many  days  had  passed  I  was 
advised  by  Brother  J oseph  to  assist  in  the  erection  of  a  flouring 
mill,  so  that  the  Saints  might  thereby  be  benefited.  I  there- 
fore ceased  my  own  operations  and  began  the  new  labor  to 
which  I  had  been  assigned.  From  that  time  until  I  left  Nau- 
voo  with  the  Saints  to  find  a  home  in  the  barren  wilds  of 
Western  America,  I  was  engaged  more  or  less  in  the  building 
and  working  of  grist  and  saw  mills  for  the  benefit  of  the  Saints. 
Sometimes  I  was  without  the  necessaries  of  life,  being  bereft 
of  the  food  and  clothing  which  my  family  needed;  sometimes 
I  was  surrounded  by  not  only  the  necessaries  but  also  the  com- 
forts of  life ;  sometimes  I  rejoiced  in  the  society  of  my  friends, 
and  sometimes  enemies  surrounded  me,  seeking  my  destruction 
because  of  my  religion.  But  in  the  midst  of  these  varied  cir- 
cumstances I  never  felt  to  doubt  the  truth  of  the  gospel  or  the 
divinity  of  Joseph  Smith's  mission. 

The  persecutions  of  the  Saints  in  Missouri  soon  began  to  be 
re-enacted  in  Illinois,  where  large  numbers  of  our  people  had 
settled  and  built  up  the  beautiful  city  of  Nauvoo.  Our  enemies 
of  the  former  place  would  not  allow  us  to  enjoy  peace  in  the 
latter,  but  did  everything  in  their  power  to  arouse  public  indig- 
nation against  us.  Men  who  professed  to  be  members  of  the 
Church  also  turned  away  from  the  truth  and  sought  to  injure 


102 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


the  work.  Notable  among  this  latter  class  was  John  C.  Ben- 
nett. He  came  to  Nauvoo  and  joined  the  Church;  with  con- 
siderable ostentation  he  brought  himself  before  the  people,  and 
seemed  to  enter  into  the  work  with  a  whole-heartedness  which 
was  quite  commendable.  He  was  instrumental  in  obtaining  the 
charter  for  Nauvoo,  the  legion  and  the  university ;  was  elected 
mayor  of  the  city,  major  general  of  the  legion,  and  chancelor 
of  the  university.  He  defended  the  Prophet  Joseph  by  writing 
over  the  non  de  plume  of  "Joab,  general  in  Israel,"  and 
was  altogether  a  popular  man,  and  run  a  rapid  race.  But  he 
was  only  an  adventurer,  and  his  deeds  of  evil  were  eventually 
brought  to  light;  for  no  sooner  had  he  attained  to  these 
responsible  positions  than  he  sought  to  use  the  influence  they 
gave  him  to  accomplish  his  evil  designs,  and  gave  himself  up 
to  practices,  not  only  diabolical  in  themselves  but  ruinous  to 
the  souls  of  those  he  entrapped.  Thus  he  brought  great  scan- 
dal upon  the  Church,  by  seeking  to  destroy  the  innocent  and 
virtuous ;  and  when  his  acts  were  questioned  by  his  intended 
victims  he  asserted  that  Joseph  taught  and  sanctioned  such 
doings.  If  his  own  assertions  were  not  sufficient  then  he  called 
on  some  of  his  tools — men  he  had  in  league  with  him — to  bear 
testimony  to  his  base  lies.  In  this  manner  his  deeds  were 
brought  to  light,  and  then  he  used  all  his  power  to  injure  those 
whom  he  had  before  defended,  and  sought  to  bring  about  a 
renewal  of  the  persecutions. 

Through  the  instrumentality  of  persons  of  this  class,  the 
sufferings  of  the  Saints  were  renewed.  Many  of  the  brethren 
were  kidnapped  from  their  homes  and  were  abused  in  a  most 
shameful  manner,  while  others  suffered  imprisonment  on 
trumped  up  charges  that  could  not  be  sustained  in  court.  One 
day  the  arrest  of  an  apostate — Augustine  Spencer — for  an 
assault  on  his  brother,  Orson,  was  attempted  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Brother  Joseph's  home.  J3ome  trouble  ensued  and  in 
the  same  Charles  Foster  attempted  to  shoot  the  prophet,  who 
was  near  at  hand.  Both  he  and  Higbee  said  they  would  con- 
sider themselves  the  favored  of  God  if  they  could  but  kill  "Joe 
Smith."  Thus  was  our  leader  in  constant  danger  for  the  sake 
of  his  religion,  and  from  this  time  until  his  death,  the  horrors 
of  which  are  known  to  all,  on  the  27th  of  June,  1844,  his  life 


NEWEL  KNIGHS'S  JOURNAL.  103 

was  one  continued  scene  of  trial,  hardship  and  persecution. 
His  followers  found  no  rest  from  their  oppressors ;  they  had  no 
rights,  according  to  popular  judgement,  that  should  be 
respected,  and  after  we  had  agreed  to  leave  Nauvoo  and  go  to 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  the  mob  would  not  leave  us  unmolested 
so  that  we  could  arrange  our  business.  One  man  by  the  name 
of  Bostwick  came  to  the  city  to  warn  Amos  Davis  and  others 
living  there,  but  who  did  not  belong  to  us,  to  move  their  stores 
out  of  the  place  if  they  wanted  to  save  them,  "for,"  said  he, 
"this  city  shall  be  laid  in  ashes;  and  Brigham  Young  shall  be 
taken  if  I  have  to  go  to  hell  to  raise  troops  enough  to  take 
him."  In  this  affair  the  Lord  overruled  in  behalf  of  His 
people,  for  as  this  wicked  man  was  returning  to  Madison  he  fell 
through  the  ice  and  was  drowned ;  and  as  he  was  the  leading 
man  among  our  enemies  around  Madison  it  put  an  end  to  their 
operations. 

The  troops  of  Carthage,  with  the  United  States  marshall  at 
their  head,  were  almost  constantly  in  our  city,  with  warrants 
for  the  apprehension  of  the  twelve  and  others  of  the  brethren. 
These  warrants  had  been  sworn  out  under  false  pretention, 
being  nothing  else  but  malicious  and  vexatious  proceedings. 
But  in  vain  did  they  search,  for  the  Lord  was  our  shield  and 
our  protector. 

At  one  time  these  men  attempted  to  search  the  temple,  but 
the  glory  of  God  was  there,  and  came  upon  them  insomuch 
that  they  were  glad  to  get  out  again. 

Surrounded  by  such  circumstances  the  Saints  were  glad  to 
flee  from  their  homes,  feeling  that  it  was  much  better  to  be  at 
the  mercy  of  the  elements  than  that  of  a  ruthless  mob.  Those, 
therefore,  who  were  able  soon  fitted  themselves  out  and  started 
to  traverse  the  barren  prairies  in  the  west.  I  was  blessed  of 
the  Lord  insomuch  that  I  was  among  the  first  to  leave  Illinois 
in  search  of  another  home. 

We  had,  however,  scarcely  got  beyond  the  reach  of  our  ene- 
mies before  an  improper  spirit  began  to  manifest  itself  among 
the  Saints  caused  by  the  actions  of  Wm.  Miller  who  was  a 
bishop  in  the  Church.  His  conduct  finally  became  so  improper 
that  he  was  called  up  before  the  high  council  and  was  censured 
for  his  unrighteous  deeds,  but  this  had  scarcely  any  effect  upon 


104 


SCRAPS  OF  BIOGRAPHY. 


him,  and  he  did  not  heed  the  counsels  of  his  brethren  at  all. 
He  finally  returned  to  the  companies  that  were  behind  us.  He 
shortly  afterwards  apostatized. 

We  were,  at  this  time,  in  a  country  which  was  claimed  by 
the  Indians,  and  where  law  and  restraints  were  unknown.  It 
was  therefore  necessary  for  us  to  use  the  utmost  caution,  so  as 
not  to  enrage  the  owners  of  the  soil.  The  Pawnees,  Poncas, 
Sioux  and  other  Indian  tribes  permitted  us  to  pass  through  the 
country  almost  unmolested.  We  sought  their  friendship  and 
they  gave  it,  and  many  friendly  meetings  were  held  with  our 
Lamanite  brethren. 

Brother  Knight's  journal  ends  here,  his  wife,  Lydia,  adding 
the  following: 

"On  Monday  morning,  January  4th,  1847,  Brother  Knight, 
whose  health  had  been  failing  for  some  time,  did  not  arise  as 
usual,  and,  on  my  going  to  him,  he  said,  "Lydia,  I  believe  I 
shall  go  to  rest  this  winter."  The  next  night  he  awoke  with  a 
severe  pain  in  his  right  side,  a  fever  had  also  set  in,  and 
he  expressed  himself  to  me  that  he  did  not  expect  to  recover. 
From  (his  time  until  the  10th  of  the  month,  the  Elders  came 
frequently  »nd  prayed  for  my  husband.  After  each  admin- 
istration he  would  rally  and  be  at  case  for  a  short  time  and 
then  relapse  again  into  suffering.  I  felt  at  last  as  if  I  could 
not  endure  his  sufferings  any  longer,  and  that  I  ought  not  to 
hold  him  here.  I  knelt  by  his  bed  side,  and  with  my  hand 
upon  his  pale  forehead  asked  my  Heavenly  Father  to  forgive 
my  sins,  and  that  the  sufferings  of  my  companion  might  cease, 
and  if  he  was  appointed  unto  death,  and  could  not  remain  with 
us,  that  he  might  be  quickly  eased  from  pain  and  fall  asleep  in 
peace.  Almost  immediately  all  pain  left  him,  and  in  a  short 
time  he  sweetly  fell  asleep  in  death,  without  a  struggle  or  a 
groan,  at  half  past  six  on  the  morning  of  the  1 1th  of  January. 
1847.  His  remains  were  interred  at  sun-set  on  the  evening  of 
the  day  he  died. 

"It  was  the  3rd  of  October,  lS.iU,  before  1  had  the  privilege 
of  entering  the  valley,  but  my  joy  in  arriving  here  has  been 
unbounded." 


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